Anger over minister's silence

Minister for Transport Dean Nalder has urged the City of Albany to eliminate security screening at the airport next year, in order to reduce airfare costs on the Albany to Perth air route.

When Virgin Australia declined to renew its contract, REX was announced as the new airline service for the regulated transport route for the next five years, beginning February 28, 2016.

Mr Nalder's comments have reignited strong public debate about the air route and issues such as flight costs, deregulation, the tender process and security, with Albany MP Peter Watson airing a grievance during a Parliamentary assembly last Thursday.

Mr Watson criticised the Department of Transport for its lack of consultation with Albany throughout the tender process.

"Was the Chamber of Commerce consulted? No. Was the tourism sector consulted? No. Were members of the community consulted? No," Mr Watson said.

"This has been a classic stuff-up from the start with the lack of consultation and lack of foresight to our future viability.

"I hear every day in Parliament how the minister and his department are causing chaos in planning on roads. Now he is causing chaos in the air."

REX is under the 20,000kg take-off weight threshold for security screening.

Mr Nalder said in response to Mr Watson's grievance, the Department was looking at ways to reduce airfares. He encouraged the City of Albany to remove security screening as it increased passenger fees.

"One of the interesting comments that REX made to me is that it is costing around $45 a passenger to land in Albany," he said.

"That is being added to the airfares. We are looking at ways to reduce airfares to encourage more people to fly."

Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said the amount of communication between Mr Nalder, his department and the City had been extremely poor.

"Making statements without consulting us is poor and it is very disappointing, the whole process," he said.

The City's airport is currently classed as a category three facility, after an upgrade to a security-controlled airport was required due to the size of Virgin Australia's aircraft.

In April the City awarded MSS Security a new contract to act as the screening authority for its airport. Mr Wellington said the Department should have consulted with the council as to whether the security contract could be broken.

He said the City will meet with the minister and REX this week to discuss the issue.