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Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has been reappointed as shadow minister for transport and infrastructure following the Coalition’s reunion.
Senator McKenzie, who was a critic of the Labor government’s aviation policy and pushed for EU-style “pay-on-delay” laws during the government’s first term, has signalled a continued focus on aviation in her second stint as the opposition’s transport spokesperson.
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“It is humbling to be reappointed to the Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development portfolio to continue my work of the past three years, pushing for improved policies to build the infrastructure Australian communities need, deliver safe, efficient and productive transport networks, and strengthen our regions,” she said in a press release.
“Families and small businesses are paying more for worse service in the aviation sector under Labor, with the Government overseeing reduced competition, the collapse of two regional airlines, higher airfares, and one in three flights cancelled and delayed under their watch.
“The Nationals are fighters for the regions and in a strong Coalition with the Liberal Party we will continue to hold Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party to account for their failures.”
McKenzie’s retention of the transport and infrastructure portfolios follows the reappointment post-election of Transport Minister Catherine King, and means both major parties will keep their transport and infrastructure portfolios in the same hands for the new term.
“In transport, we embarked on significant reform to Australia’s aviation industry including reforms to the slot system at Sydney Airport for the first time in 25 years, and landed a record number of bilateral air agreements,” the minister said in a statement earlier this month.
“We have a significant agenda for our second term, including: establishing a robust consumer aviation protection regime, preserving regional aviation and driving competition in the sector; driving productivity in construction and across our supply chains; getting on with Melbourne Airport Rail, fixing Queensland’s Bruce Highway, finishing Western Sydney International, and much more.
“I look forward to continuing to work with an impressive team of Ministers to progress this important work.”
Greens transport spokesperson Elizabeth Watson-Brown was the only member of the party to retain her lower-house seat, having been re-elected to the Brisbane seat of Ryan.
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says:Congratulations Senator upon your reappointment to this important portfolio in the shadow ministry; may I suggest though that in the event of another/further Senate estimates enquiry you adopt a less confrontational/subjective attitude than which was reported on the last hearings. You will most definitely catch more flies with honey than vinegar; thank you.