Regional Aviation Policy statement: Riverina MP 'stalling' on Wagga Airport, Labor says

The opposition has accused Mr McCormack of "stalling" regional aviation reform as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.

Mr McCormack this week announced the government would develop a policy statement "in partnership with airlines, regional airports, local council owners, state and territory governments and local communities".

Mr McCormack told The Daily Advertiser the statement would "canvass strategies to deliver affordable and accessible air services, underpinning economic development and delivery of critical services in regional Australia, including those in the Riverina and Central West".

"I intend for the policy statement to investigate these issues in a thorough and comprehensive way," he said.

"Among many issues, the policy statement will look at continuing to support regional airlines' access to major airports including Kingsford-Smith Airport, Sydney, whilst maintaining the legislated permanent regional slots."

During a visit to Wagga last year for a pilot's conference, then opposition transport spokesman Anthony Albanese warned that the city could lose its daily return flights to Sydney Airport without dedicated runway allotments for regional NSW.

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Opposition transport spokeswoman Catherine King said Mr McCormack's policy statement announcement this week was "just another stalling tactic after six years of inaction".

"The Minister has been sitting on two reports since June - a Senate inquiry into regional aviation and the Productivity Commission's inquiry into airport regulation."

"Wagga locals are rightly concerned about the price and availability of air services. It's vital this Government protects regional access to Sydney Airport and works across the sector to bring prices down."

"People in regional NSW need more from this Minister than just another 'issues paper'."

The Productivity Commission released a report this month into the aviation industry, with Wagga airport operator Wagga City Council welcoming its recommendations for a new infrastructure funding scheme.

Mr McCormack said the federal government would "provide a separate response to the Productivity Commission's final report on its Inquiry into the Economic Regulation of Airports in due course".