The Hon. Robbie Katter, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger, Media Release, 22 October 2025

Gulf and North West deserve service, not continued failures, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter has said.

Mr Katter reiterated his call for genuine reform to air transport services in the region, noting that the fleet that the new American owners have acquired is not fit for purpose in the Gulf.

“We have seen too many operators and owners come and go, and it’s remote and rural Queenslanders who suffer the most when services abruptly stop or just don’t arrive as scheduled,” the Member for Traeger said.

“The aircraft and the operating model simply don’t deliver up here. There are Australian based operators more than ready to pick up the routes, if only the Queensland government tipped Rex off the contract.

“Reliability is key when it comes to attending medical appointments or attracting specialist staff to remote communities,” he said.

Mr Katter also called on the State Government to introduce set priced resident-only fares to ensure accessibility for local community members.

“Brisbane can have their 50c fares, but there is no 50c bus from Doomadgee to Mount Isa or from Hughenden to Townsville,” Mr Katter said.

“The price should be in the order of $200, and that would be the price regardless of the demand from out-of-town service providers.

“This would connect communities, drive usage by residents, and provide greater sustainability for the operators of the Gulf and North West routes.

“There comes a time when we must have a good look at existing policy and ask the hard questions – is this really working?

“Both State and Federal Governments cannot keep putting their head in the sand and hoping that an operator will miraculously be able to run these routes sustainably.

“A new, fit for purpose model, focussed on remote and rural communities and service delivery is urgently needed.