Speculation around the future of Rex Airlines has renewed the conversation around whether the new Spirits will be ready for full service in time for summer.

Rex Airlines carry tourists to our shores through Hobart, Burnie, Devonport, and King Island. Its halt is extremely concerning for the Tasmanian tourism industry and businesses that rely on those routes.

When fully delivered the new Spirits will provide 40% more capacity – additional passengers who would become even more critical if Rex were to collapse.

The Liberals need to be upfront about whether Spirit IV will be ready for full-service summer. Every 12 months of delays costs the Tasmanian $350 million – losses which would be disproportionately felt by regional communities.

The Government’s handling of arguably the state’s largest infrastructure project in nearly three decades has been marred by scandal, incompetence, and dishonesty. The project is at least five years and $500 million over budget, that is $1.75 billion in lost economic activity to an economy that is stalling and $500 million in costs added to a budget already loaded with record debt.

The Government owes it to the north-west to answer a simple question – will Spirit IV be able to operate, fully loaded with passengers and freight, in time for this summer?

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
Shadow Minister for Tourism