Labor urges State Government to do all it can to secure direct flights between Tasmania and New Zealand

Politicians are clamouring for City Deal cash to be used on Hobart Airport to supercharge its bid for international flights, which they say are essential to the state’s economic recovery.

LABOR has called on the State Government to take “decisive action” to open up direct travel between Tasmanian and New Zealand.

On Friday Premier Peter Gutwein revealed he had held “very positive” talks with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters about opening up a travel bubble between the two regions.

Opposition leader Rebecca White said funding in the City Deal earmarked for the Hobart Airport needed to be used flexibly to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 and establish Hobart as the port of entry to Australia for all NZ travellers in the trans-Tasman bubble.

“The visitor economy is vital for Tasmania’s economy and its revitalisation will be critical in our recovery and getting people back to work,” Ms White said.

MORE NEWS:

• Ceremony honours Tasmanians who served in a ‘forgotten war’
• 370 employees exposed to cancerous chemicals
• Are Tasmania’s forest fights set to reignite

“There is an enormous opportunity for Hobart to become the gateway for the trans-Tasman bubble, but it requires a proactive approach from both State and Federal Governments.

“We are not the only Australian city bidding for flights and Hobart Airport requires investment in order to comply with border security requirements.”

Mr Gutwein said the State Government was engaging with both its Federal and New Zealand counterparts in regards to trans-Tasman travel.

“In fact just last week Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that border force services will be available to the state and we will work with the Hobart Airport in relation to the necessary quarantine facilities they would require. Both jurisdictions have worked hard to contain coronavirus and with the situation now under control it makes sense for us to explore the opportunity of direct flights,” Mr Gutwein said.