POLL: OVERWHELMING SUPPORT TO SAVE REX, TAKE A PUBLIC STAKE AND CLEAN UP AVIATION

A new YouGov poll shows more than seven in ten Australians (71%) support the Federal Government intervening to ensure Rex continues servicing critical regional routes.

And even more – three quarters (75%) — think the Government should take an equity stake when it bails out failing companies such as Rex.

A similar number, 74%, support creation of a new independent commission to set standards for jobs and services in aviation.

“There is overwhelming public support to intervene in Rex, which extends to taking an ownership stake,” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said. “The public is sick to death of Qantas-style corporate immortality in aviation. They want the Government to civilise the sector and end this awful cycle where executives hoover up the cash in the good times and then come with a begging bowl when things get hard.”

A 2020 YouGov poll revealed 62% supported public ownership in bailed-out companies. The sharp increase since then follows the decimation of public support for Qantas after it illegally outsourced 1700 workers, creating airport chaos, despite receiving the largest amount of taxpayer-funded support of any company during the pandemic.

Kaine said the Federal Government had a clear mandate to intervene in Rex.

“Regional Australia needs Rex, and this poll shows overwhelming support for the Federal Government to step in and safeguard its future. Not only are hundreds of aviation jobs on the line, but these routes are also critical to regional Australia’s business, tourism, healthcare and community services. The Federal Government must keep Rex flying.

“We must also set decent standards for the industry. Aviation in its current state is failing workers, passengers and regional Australia.

“Since 2020 we’ve seen the exit of Tiger and Bonza, and the administration of Rex. The constant instability in this sector, driven by Qantas relentlessly pursuing profits and crushing new entrants breeds deep uncertainty for aviation workers and the broader public.

“The Federal Government must put in place a long-term solution that will provide certainty for regional Australia, as well as ensure decent standards for workers and the travelling public. A Safe and Secure Skies Commission is an urgent priority.”

NOTES

YouGov asked a representative sample of 1044 Australians the following questions:

Since 2020, four Australian airlines have entered administration. Virgin Australia was bought, but regional airlines TigerAir and Bonza have gone. Now Rex is in administration. The Federal Government has indicated it will act to retain Rex Airlines so that regional Australia can continue to be serviced by air travel. Do you approve or disapprove of Federal Government intervention to save Rex? 

Approve

71%

Disapprove

10%

Don’t know

19%

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Please select the option that best applies

If the Australian government spends taxpayer funds to bailout private companies, it should insist on receiving part share or take ownership of those companies in return for this money

Agree

75%

Disagree

10%

Don’t know

16%

 The Australian National Audit Office reports that as part of the economic response to COVID-19, the Australian Government has committed over $5.6 billion to a suite of measures to support Australia’s aviation sector from March 2020 through to 2022–23.An estimated 25,000 aviation workers left the industry during the pandemic through redundancies as well as illegal outsourcing at Qantas. In 2024, a further 982 jobs have been lost from Bonza and Rex. Unions have called for an independent Safe and Secure Skies Commission to set enforceable standards for aviation and provide a voice for workers, passengers and the community. Do you support the Federal Government establishing an independent commission to set standards for jobs and services in aviation?

Support

74%

Oppose

9%

Don’t know

17%