RITA SAFFIOTI'S DOUBLE STANDARD ON REGIONAL AIRFARES

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has written to regional local governments urging them not to pass on rising airport costs to passengers, just days before her own Government increases regional airfares by up to 30 per cent.

Before the last election Labor promised to keep regional airfare costs affordable.

Instead from July 1, changes to the Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme will introduce a new “high demand” fare, forcing some regional travellers to pay significantly more during school holidays and other busy periods.

During Budget Estimates hearings, the Cook Labor Government was unable to explain what savings would be achieved by shifting these costs onto regional Western Australians.

At the same time, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport, Samantha Rowe, confirmed that Transport Minister Rita Saffioti had written to regional local governments and private airport operators asking them not to pass on increased charges for travellers.

Shadow Transport Minister Steve Martin said the contradiction was extraordinary.

“Rita Saffioti is telling local governments not to pass on costs to passengers while her own Government is doing exactly that,” he said.

“Regional West Australians are being asked to pay more for essential travel while the Minister lectures local councils about keeping costs down.

“People in regional Western Australia don’t fly to Perth for a weekend away. They travel for medical appointments, family emergencies, education and work.

“If the Minister is serious about keeping regional travel affordable, she should start by scrapping her own airfare increases.”

Mr Martin said the double standard became even more glaring when compared with the Cook Labor Government’s decision to subsidise flights for interstate visitors attending the upcoming Italian soccer festival in Perth.

“A resident travelling from Geraldton to Perth for a specialist medical appointment or family emergency could soon be paying more, while interstate visitors are being offered discounted fares to attend a sporting event,” he said.

“Regional Western Australians are looking at these priorities and wondering whose side this Government is on.”

The new Regional Airfare Zone Cap pricing arrangements take effect from 1 July.

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