Member for Albany and Shadow Minister for Tourism and Commerce, Scott Leary MLA, has called on the Transport Minister to urgently step in and address the systemic failings of Rex Airlines, which is causing continual chaos for locals, visitors, and businesses.
Mr Leary used a Grievance Motion in Parliament this week to lay bare the frustrations and anger of Albany residents who have been let down by cancelled flights, unreliable services, and poor customer care.
“For too long, the people of Albany, and those in Esperance, Shark Bay, and Carnarvon, have endured a substandard air service from Rex Airlines,” Mr Leary said.
“No one is arguing against our vital regional air links, but they must be reliable. Right now, Rex is failing the basic test of providing a safe, consistent service and it is hurting our communities.”
Mr Leary said unreliable flights were having “devastating consequences” for health care access, tourism, commerce, and everyday life in Albany.
“One constituent waited more than three months to see a neurologist, only to miss the appointment when their flight was cancelled the night before. Another cancer patient, who must travel to Perth weekly for time-critical immunotherapy, lives in constant fear of missing appointments because Rex cannot be relied on,” Mr Leary said.
“I’ve heard of Albany residents stranded in Perth for days without medication or clothing after cancelled return flights, forced to pay hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets for accommodation and transport.”
Mr Leary also highlighted the flow-on damage to Albany’s tourism and hospitality sector.
“Local operators tell me they are constantly forced to manage last-minute trip cancellations caused by Rex, and visitors complain their trip has been ruined before it begins due to poor communication and customer service. That’s not the reputation we want for Albany or regional WA.”
Mr Leary cited further failures across Rex’s regional network, including the shocking case of an unaccompanied minor booked to fly to Shark Bay being left in Carnarvon, 350 kilometres away.
“This was a negligent outcome that no parent should ever have to endure. Regional families deserve better than this.”
He also raised concerns over the more than $800,000 owed by Rex Airlines to the City of Albany and Shire of Esperance, questioning whether the airline was even meeting its contractual obligations.
“If Rex is not meeting the contract, then the Minister must intervene. If it is, the Minister must explain why this Government signed such as weak contract the gives Rex a monopoly over these routes with constant delays and cancellations.”
Leader of the Nationals WA Shane Love MLA backed Mr Leary, saying the Minister’s Parliamentary response was “woefully inadequate.”
“The Minister for Transport must act.” Mr Love said.
“Rex is contracted to provide an essential service for regional families, businesses and patients, yet right now, those arrangements are not fit for purpose.
“The people of Albany, Esperance, Carnarvon and Shark Bay deserve a safe, reliable and accountable air service, and it’s the Minister’s job to deliver it.”
Mr Love has called for an urgent meeting with the Minister for Transport and his colleagues the Member for Albany Scott Leary and Member for Roe Peter Rundle to further discuss the issued relating to Rex Airlines.