President's column
Regional Express (REX) delivered an ultimatum to South Australian regional councils last week: reduce your airport fees for five years or we’ll cease all flights, permanently – and you’ve got four days to call a special meeting and agree. Anyone familiar with REX’s past dealings with Local Government would not have been surprised by last+
Regional councils reject REX’s ‘extortionate’ demands
Days after demanding South Australian regional councils support it through the Covid-19 pandemic or risk losing their air links, Regional Express (REX) has obtained federal funding to continue servicing its network destinations. In recent weeks, REX has cut services drastically even as it has sought state and federal government financial support. On 13 April ,+
LGAQ floats stimulus package for Qld local communities
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) wants state government support for a Covid-19 plan by councils to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and provide ratepayer relief. The $608 million plan includes a new capital works program, funding for a 3000-strong “green army” to protect and improve the environment for the tourism and agricultural industries,+