Mount Gambier Air Travel

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:30): Many residents from Mount Gambier need to travel to Adelaide for various reasons, whether medical, business, sport or visiting family. With a distance of 444 kilometres, it is not always practical to drive the 10-hour round trip. Yesterday I had the opportunity to see the first landing of the Qantas Q400 aircraft, which is replacing the Q300 aircraft for all flights to and from our region. The new aircraft is 30 per cent faster and has a larger capacity, seating 74 passengers compared with the previous 50 for the Q300.

Following its arrival, I had the opportunity to travel to Adelaide on this new aircraft ready for today's parliament. Qantas began as a regional airline over 100 years ago, so it is pleasing to see this investment into modern aircraft for our regional route. However, I can only hope that this leads to an increase in services.

Many people, particularly those travelling for business or medical appointments, need to be in Adelaide by 9 o'clock, and to save accommodation costs many return the same day. Currently, Mount Gambier is serviced by Rex Airlines, which operates two or three flights a day to both Adelaide and Melbourne, and Qantas, which offers three flights a week to Adelaide. This level of service is not enough for South Australia's second-largest city. We need two airlines operating daily flights to Adelaide and Melbourne to create competition, drive down costs and ensure high-quality service.

It is also crucial to hold airlines accountable for providing affordable and reliable travel options for regional residents. Earlier today I checked the flights from Adelaide to Melbourne. I had three to choose from, all offering morning departures and evening returns, ranging from $300 to $350 as a return flight. In contrast, the only available flight from Mount Gambier to Adelaide was around $600 return, almost double the cost. It is just not viable for many residents to pay these prices, which leads to a decrease in passenger numbers and then a decrease in service, and so the spiral continues down.

Rex's financial struggles are well known, and I commend the federal government for stepping in and providing a backstop for regional communities with a reassurance that these services will continue. Now we need to take the next step. We must remove excessive barriers for airlines and airports and explore incentives that encourage increased services.

This is even more timely with the additional security requirements looming for Mount Gambier that would see an airport additional cost of $50 per departing passenger on top of the ticket price for baggage and personnel scanning. It is a strange situation where you will have two aircraft coming down, a Rex airline where there is no baggage and no scanning requirements and Qantas where there will be an additional $50. Both aircraft leave and head to Adelaide, or Rex in this case to Melbourne, yet the price will be a disincentive for Qantas.

In terms of driving the 10-hour round trip, many South Australians will take airline travel in essence to avoid a night's accommodation. The current flight schedules and pricing are simply not sustainable. Without competition and better service frequency, we risk isolating regional communities and limiting economic growth. With this new aircraft being introduced, now is the perfect opportunity for airlines, government and stakeholders to come together and commit to real long-term improvements.

On that, I would like to acknowledge the previous airport manager, Ian Fritsch. Ten or 11 years ago when we were talking about terminal upgrades, Ian really pushed the case for an extended runway and strengthening of the parking area, called the apron, to enable Q400s to eventually come to Mount Gambier. Ian is now retired, but as is often the case, those who initiate these great ideas never get thanked. We are the real beneficiary of his foresight, so thank you, Ian Fritsch.