Virgin Australia can be saved but Gold Coast MPs must not remain silent

Virgin Australia can still be saved but Gold Coast Federal MPs will need to speak up, warns Labor Gold Coast-based Senator Murray Watt.

VIRGIN Australia can still be saved but Gold Coast Federal MPs will need to speak up, warns Labor Gold Coast-based Senator Murray Watt.

“Scott Morrison now must take an active role in the administration process, take an equity stake and ensure we have two major airlines in this country,” Senator Watt told The Bulletin.

“For the Gold Coast’s tourism industry to recover from the coronavirus lockdown, we need two domestic airlines and that means getting Virgin back in the air.”

RELATED

Coast tourism bosses say Virgin collapse would be devastating

Hope for frequent flyers as Velocity saved from scrapheap

Virgin airlines at Gold Coast Airport.

Virgin has entered into voluntary administration after debts of more than $5 billion. The second carrier to Qantas provides a large chunk of the 6.6 million passengers travelling through the Gold Coast Airport annually.

“I think the alternative of an airline monopoly is the best way to kill off our tourism industry,” Senator Watt said.

He was hopeful the Prime Minister and his Gold Coast MPs could “reverse course” and take an equity stake in the company, buy shares and sell them for a profit.

“To date, our Gold Coast MPs have totally failed to stand up for Virgin and our local tourism industry. It’s about time they joined some of their interstate colleagues in pressuring the Prime Minister to protect the thousands of tourism jobs here on the Gold Coast,” Senator Watt said.

Senator Murray Watt — government can save Virgin. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Moncrieff MP Angie Bell has told The Bulletin the Government was “determined to do everything possible” to keep the airlines in the air.

Fadden MP Stuart Robert has not responded to calls and McPherson MP Karen Andrews has referred the newspaper to the Deputy Prime Minister’s office for comment.

Senator Watt said the collapse was completely avoidable outcome and would be devastating for those workers and their families, as well as our regional economies.

“Queensland’s 29 Federal LNP MPs, including five on the Gold Coast, stood by and let it happen. They and their leader, Scott Morrison, let Virgin fall on their watch,” he said.

“Federal Labor was clear about the need to support Virgin in order to maintain two major airlines and provide competition and jobs for thousands of Australians.

“But the Morrison Government shrugged off its responsibility, and now Queensland will pay the price.”