Live: PM speaks about plan to throw Regional Express another lifeline
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to speak shortly
He’s loving the morning press conferences lately. Anthony Albanese is in Merimbula this morning alongside Transport Minister Catherine King, frontbencher (and local MP) Kristy McBain and Gilmore MP Fiona Philips.
Standby for more.
Govt will buy Rex if nobody else wants to
The federal government will acquire Regional Express if the collapsed airline fails to find a buyer — a move which would make it the first nationally owned carrier in three decades.
Regional Express entered voluntary administration in July last year after it failed to expand its services to competitive capital city routes.
Administrators from EY were appointed to oversee the business, also known as Rex, but have so far been unable to secure a buyer for Australia’s third-largest airline.
The announcement comes ahead of a second attempt to sell the airline, with the government offering to work with bidders to ensure a “successful sale” that would provide reliable regional services.
However, if there was no buyer found for the company, the government would consider “contingency options”, including “potential Commonwealth acquisition”.
👋 Good morning
Hiya friends.
Welcome back to another day of our politics live blog. Courtney Gould from the ABC’s Parliament House team here to guide you through the day.
Let’s dive right in!
