Devastating news today has revealed that Jetstar has been forced into cutting 112 engineering jobs and shutting down its deep maintenance operation at Williamtown.

This morning’s announcement is devastating for hundreds of Hunter workers and their families, and our thoughts are with them all.

These job losses were not unforeseen.

Labor has been warning for months what could happen to our aviation industry if the Morrison Government failed to act.

But instead of listening, the Government has spent the last few months ignoring the structural problems in the industry, hoping on a wing and a prayer that the market would sort it out.

We’re going to need our aviation industry after this pandemic, but the aviation industry needs our help now.

Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said “Scott Morrison must stop delaying the review of JobKeeper and give workers and businesses alike the certainty they need to plan beyond the September ‘snapback’ deadline.”

 “Aviation workers are being left out and left behind by the Morrison Government’s botched handling of JobKeeper and the lack of a plan for the aviation sector.”

“With the jobs of cabin crew and pilots based in the Hunter also potentially lost, this is a hard hit for our local economy,” Meryl Swanson MP said.

  “Scott Morrison clearly has not done enough to support regional airport workers.”

Before the pandemic, Newcastle Airport was going from strength to strength.

“The Government needs to explain why it has failed to support Jetstar and Qantas, forcing these jobs to be moved out of the Hunter,” Pat Conroy said.

“It’s also disrespectful and unacceptable that Jetstar management informed their staff over a pre-recorded message that didn’t allow them to ask any further questions.

“Jetstar needs to explain why they are shifting this work to Melbourne.”