MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has called on the city’s Nick Xenophon’s SA-Best candidate to show her loyalty to the region and support a bid to attract a Qantas pilot academy for Mount Gambier.
The airline recently announced it would open a $20m pilot training centre, preferably near an existing regional airfield to provide easy access to uncongested airspace.
Last week, Mr Bell said he had written to Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to begin discussions regarding Mount Gambier being the home of up to 500 pilots a year.
This week, SA-Best announced it would initiate immediate discussions with the Australian airline as soon as possible if the party held the balance of power after the March 17 election, saying several sites would be ideal for the academy.
The incumbent MP called on SA-Best candidate for Mount Gambier Kate Amoroso to publicly state Nick Xenophon’s “captains call is wrong” after the party outlined Whyalla as their preferred location, followed by Port Lincoln.
“If I hold the balance of power, I can assure the people of the South East the incentives offered by a State Government will be tied to Mount Gambier being the base for this training academy,” Mr Bell said.
“The fact Xenophon has not been down in the South East since the start of this campaign shows the lack of interest in our region.
“The Xenophon candidate will not be a strong voice for the region.
“This is why we need a strong independent with experience to negotiate these opportunities.”
In a statement, Ms Amoroso said if successful in her bid for election, she would endeavour to fully support Mount Gambier as the location of the academy.
“SA-Best fully supports all efforts to attract Qantas in the endeavour to establish a regional pilot training academy in regional South Australia,” she said.
“We understand there are multiple locations that can be considered for such a facility in regional South Australia.
“We appreciate that this final decision would be that of Qantas and SA-Best and its members are proud to be the ones launching the charge and exploring this great opportunity.”
Liberal candidate Craig Marsh pledged to encourage Qantas to base the academy in Mount Gambier if elected to parliament.
“I would also absolutely support any additional flights coming into Mount Gambier airport,” he said.
“Mount Gambier is the biggest regional city in South Australia and if we can improve connectivity to the rest of the state and country it will have a huge economic benefit for the whole South East region.
“The formula is simple, more visitors means more dollars in our region, which means more jobs.”
