This month I had the opportunity to represent RDA Murray as part of a Chairs’ delegation meeting with the Hon. Tara Moriarty, NSW Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW. Our focus: regional air connectivity — an issue that is once again front and centre following the collapse of REX Airlines.
As the search for a potential buyer for REX has sparked renewed urgency, the challenges we face are not new. It’s simply the latest in a string of regional carriers unable to sustain the cost and complexity of servicing communities outside Australia’s metropolitan centres.
For those of us who live and work in the regions, this isn’t just a transport issue. It’s a matter of equity. Reliable, affordable air services are essential for regional Australians to access the health care, education, professional opportunities, and other services that are too often concentrated in major cities. When those connections break down, the social and economic consequences are deeply felt.
We were grateful for Minister Moriarty’s time and for the opportunity to share the collective concerns of the RDA NSW & ACT network. Her insights and understanding of the lived impacts in our communities were genuinely appreciated. It’s clear that government is listening — and that’s a critical first step.
The structural disadvantage built into the current regional aviation model calls for long-term, sustainable solutions. What we need is a coordinated strategy that treats regional air access as a public good, not just a commercial offering. That means ensuring a framework that can support viable service delivery and fairer airfares, particularly for smaller centres that risk being left behind.
The RDA NSW & ACT network is committed to working with all levels of government on this issue. We are advocating for a future where getting to and from regional Australia isn’t a privilege — it’s a right.
