The Member for Gregory Lachlan Millar has launched a fresh attack on the Queensland Government and Australia’s national airline carrier, demanding a Senate Inquiry into the cost of regional airfares.
The Emerald based MP has this week written to Senator Barry O’Sullivan, who is the Chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, to request the inquiry.
Mr Millar said he was confident it would get the go-ahead.
“I have been fighting for more parity for Regional Queensland for the past two years - I have made countless representations on this issue and we still have no answers,” Mr Millar said.
“The Queensland Government, who are responsible for regulating the route, have failed regional Queensland – the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport couldn’t even be bothered responding.
“And Qantas keep feeding us generic corporate nonsense.
“Enough is enough - Western Queenslanders are still paying up to $500 to travel one way from Longreach to Brisbane.
“In fact, this issue is affecting the hip pocket of individuals and families right across the state.”
Mr Millar said conducting a senate inquiry was the only way to find out why regional Queenslanders continue to “pay through the nose” for air travel.
Senator Barry O’Sullivan confirmed he had received Mr Millar’s request for a senate inquiry and was currently “working through the issues”.
Senator O’Sullivan said he’d had many discussions with Mr Millar, and others in regional areas, about the issue in recent years.
