The Albanese Labor Government has finally responded to the Coalition initiated ‘Harris review’ after nearly two years of delays by Transport Minister Catherine King.
While we are yet to see the detail, the Minister’s announcement falls short of the necessary reform that is needed to significantly improve cancellations and delays experienced by Australian travellers every day.
The Minister has both the authority and the imperative to improve Sydney airport slots arrangements that are so vital to this nation’s economy.
A two-hour recovery period with maximum of five additional movements, while positive, will have minimal effect when there are disruptions that last several hours.
Frustrated travellers will continue to be hampered by cancellations and delays across Australia because of the Minister’s inadequate response.
It’s hard not to be cynical that this announcement comes a week after the ACCC published a scathing Domestic Airline Monitoring Report, the first since the Coalition led aviation inquiry last year recommended to reinstate the ACCC monitoring in 2023.
If the Minister was serious about fixing the nation’s chronic cancellations and delays, she would start with the sacking of the Airservices Australia CEO whose reappointment is sitting on her desk.