Key events
Chalmers says ‘there’s been discussions’ with Rex regarding pathway forward
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, was up on ABC News Breakfast earlier this morning to talk about the Rex Airlines administration.He said it was a “relief” for communities that regional services would continue:
We want to see those regional services continue. Minister Catherine King is also talking with the other airlines to make sure if there’s job losses, that the other airlines can re-employ and re-deploy some of the workers as well.
Asked if taxpayer support would be needed to keep the regional routes operating, Chalmers said “there’s been discussions but I don’t want to pre-empt the company statement.”
We want to hear next from the company. They’ve indicated they will be making a statement before long.
Sydney Airport CEO calls for more competition in aviation industry amid Rex administration
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton also responded to the Rex Airlines administration, sending thoughts to Rex passengers and employees impacted by the administration:
We are pleased to see that the administrator will continue regional operations to and from Sydney during this period as these services are critical for many regional communities.
What this situation demonstrates is that we need to change some things in the Australian aviation market for competition to thrive, because recent history suggests the barriers are too high.
We have a rare opportunity to get this right with the proposed slot reforms at Sydney airport and through the imminent aviation white paper, and we remain ready to work with the government on implementing both.
Melbourne airport responds to Rex Airlines administration news
Sticking with Rex Airlines for a moment: Melbourne Airport said in a statement this morning it is “deeply disappointed” by the suspension of Rex services and stands ready to assist passengers.
Rex services from Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, the Gold Coast and Perth have been cancelled. Affected passengers will be reaccommodated on Virgin Australia flights free of charge …
Melbourne Airport was proudly home to Rex’s largest 737 jet base and our thoughts are with the staff affected by this announcement.
The team at Melbourne airport will continue to work hard to facilitate new entrants to the Australian market because of the benefits they bring to consumers.
Transport minister says long-term solution needed for regional aviation, not ‘throwing money at the problem’
The transport minister, Catherine King, spoke with ABC AM earlier this morning about the future of Rex Airlines following news last night that flights between capital cities were grounded and it has entered voluntary administration.
King said that it was “in everyone’s interests that this airline continue, and we’re determined to do what we can.”
We understand how important Rex is, particularly to the regions – there are some areas where this is the only, only option in terms of transport …
We also can’t do it just at any cost, so we’ll be talking to the administrators, we’ve been talking to Rex – my department – all of yesterday. We know that there will be some seeking of support from government and we will take some time to work our way through that with the administrators, we want to do that properly.
The minister said Rex hadn’t “asked for specifics as yet”, but were after assistance to ensure operations can continue into the airport and to ensure they could still access fuel supply:
I think it is fair to say that we would be reluctant to just throw money at the problem … What we would want to do is ensure that there is a long-term solution to the security of regional aviation and we will take time to work our way through that.
Government response to the disability royal commission expected today
Stephanie Convery
The federal government is expected to formally respond today to the findings of the royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, nine months after they were made public.
The commission’s final report, released last September, came after four and a half years of hearings, publications, submissions and powerful testimony from people with disability and their loved ones.
The commission found that people with disability “continue to experience high rates of violence and abuse, multiple forms of neglect, and sexual and financial exploitation” and significant change was required for Australia to be a truly inclusive society.
There were 222 recommendations in the 12-volume final report, including that the federal government commit to the enactment of a disability rights act that embodies the principles set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Other recommendations included prohibitions on non-therapeutic, involuntary sterilisation of people with disability, immediate action at all levels of government to prevent the use of restrictive practices, and the “significant reform” and “transformational change” of mainstream housing, education and employment systems to remove ableist barriers and minimise or eliminate segregation.
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said at the time that the government would take “a considered and staged approach” to responding to the findings. You can read more about what the commission recommended here:
Woman bitten by shark off the coast of Western Australia
A woman has been bitten by a shark on an island off the coast of Western Australia, about 80km west of Geraldton.
According to Sharksmart, she was snorkelling at Rat Island, in the Abrolhos Islands, when she was bitten by an unknown species of shark.
The ABC reported the woman in her 30s was flown to Geraldton and taken to the local hospital for treatment.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with local authorities to coordinate a response. It has urged people to take additional caution in the Rat Island area, adhere to any beach closures and report shark sightings to water police.
Welcome
Emily Wind
Good morning, and happy Wednesday. Welcome back to a new day on the Australia news live blog – I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage for most of today.
A woman has been bitten by a shark on an island off the coast of Western Australia, about 80km west of Geraldton. She was snorkelling at Rat Island, in the Abrolhos Islands, when she was bitten by an unknown species of shark yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the federal government is expected to formally respond today to the findings of the royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability – nine months after they were made public.
As Stephanie Convery reports, the commission found people with disability “continue to experience high rates of violence and abuse, multiple forms of neglect, and sexual and financial exploitation” and significant change was required for Australia to be a truly inclusive society. The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said at the time that the government would take “a considered and staged approach” to responding to the findings.
We’ll bring you more on both of these stories shortly.
As always, you can get in touch with any thoughts, tips or questions via X, @emilywindwrites, or you can email me, emily.wind@theguardian.com.
Let’s get started.