WA Transport minister Rita Saffioti accused Nationals WA leader Shane Love of lying after he complained her government had not provided for capped regional air fares beyond June 2026.
“Labor is preparing to pull the plug,” Mr Love said.
“The Treasurer’s Budget provides funding for the airfare cap for this year only.
“Beyond that? Not a cent in the forward estimates. That’s not a mistake; it’s a warning shot.”
Ms Saffioti said: “Regional Capped Airfare Scheme isn’t going anywhere and the Nationals know that”.
“The National are blatantly lying to the communities they claim to represent and they should be ashamed,” she said.
However Mr Love said the airfare cap was just one of many regional supports being targeted by Labor in a Budget that delivered “little more than crumbs” to the communities powering WA’s economy.
“This isn’t just a Budget line item, it’s about access to healthcare, education, and basic family connection,” he said.
“Without affordable airfares, regional Western Australians are stranded.”
Ms Saffioti wasn’t having a bar of it.
“I think deep down Shane Love and the Nationals are embarrassed that a Labor Government is doing more to support the regional communities they claim to represent,” she said.
“Our Labor Government started this scheme and we recognise how important it has been for regional communities.
“It’s not going anywhere.”
