SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
12 June 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
PRIME MINISTER AND TRANSPORT MINISTER MISSING IN ACTION AS 300 BONZA WORKERS LAID OFF WITH NO COMPENSATION
The Albanese Government has abandoned Australia’s domestic aviation sector, abandoned over 300 workers at Bonza and abandoned any hope of more competition against the duopoly of the two major airlines.
300 Bonza employees were laid off yesterday following months of uncertainty and speculation about the airline’s future and so far there has been radio silence from the Albanese Government.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie said when in opposition, both Anthony Albanese and Catherine King were very vocal during the Virgin crisis, but Bonza workers have been left to beg the government for help.
“The Transport Minister, when in opposition, said ‘Every job lost at Virgin Australia will be because of the inaction of the Morrison Government,’ well more than 300 jobs have been lost because of the inaction of the Albanese Government,” Senator McKenzie said.
“At the time, the Prime Minister also made remarks, saying ‘Giving up on Australia’s aviation industry is not an option for Labor,’ how could any Bonza worker not to conclude that he has given up on them?”
“The last Bonza plane left Australia last week, they have no planes, no workers and now no hope from the Albanese Government,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Prime Minister made a promise before the election to show up when times were tough, well for more than 300 Bonza workers this week doesn’t get any tougher, so where is he?” Senator McKenzie said.
Last year’s Aviation Senate Inquiry uncovered a range of faults within Australia’s aviation sector which is one of the least competitive airline industries in the world.
Senator McKenzie said airline competition has gone backwards under Labor.
“Delays and Cancellations are continuing to plague the industry, much of which is being caused by the government owned Airservices Australia,” Senator McKenzie said.
“And now Labor has a plan to reduce aviation emissions by shifting passengers off planes and onto slower modes of transport, making the domestic aviation industry even less competitive as smaller operators like Rex struggle to do business with less customers.”
“Since being elected the Albanese Government has only increased the control of the duopoly – Qantas and Virgin.”
“Ninety per cent of Bonza’s routes were unique to the brand, meaning many direct regional routes have been lost, along with lower airfares.
“With Bonza gone, millions of regional Australians have lost access to affordable airfares.
“Many of these travellers will now need to purchase twice the number of airfares to reach the same destination.”
The Coalition will deliver a more affordable and reliable aviation industry.
The Coalition has already forced the Government to continue the ACCC’s monitoring of domestic prices and competition, held an inquiry into the Government’s protection of Qantas and the Qatar Airways decision, and lodged a Private Senators Bill to create more fair and equitable compensation for passengers when delays and cancellations occur.
“The Liberals and Nationals have Australian’s backs, Labor’s decisions only empty Australian’s wallets.”
ENDS.