Joint Media Release
(26k)Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig
Minister for Human Services
The Hon Jim Turnour MP
Member for Leichhardt
9 October 2008
Extra flights assist Torres Strait students back to school
Students from remote communities in the Torres Strait left stranded by the grounding of Aero-Tropics, have now been able to resume the fourth school term after emergency plans were put in place by the Rudd Government.
Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, and Member for Leichhardt, Mr Jim Turnour MP, today praised Centrelink’s response to the unexpected disruption to air services affecting ABSTUDY boarding school students in the Torres Strait.
“Providing students from remote Torres Strait communities with access to quality education is a priority for the Rudd Government,” Senator Ludwig said.
“Centrelink, with Qantas, acted swiftly to ensure all students affected by the disruption to Aero-Tropics flights have been provided with other options to return to boarding school from their remote communities.”
“The majority of students have been placed on alternative flights and have already resumed school.”
“Extra flights have been arranged for those students yet to commence and all are expected to be back at school by the middle of next week.”
ABSTUDY provides travel for up to 600 students from the Torres Straits each term. Of these approximately 249 students across various islands were affected by the grounding of Aero-Tropics by Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Member for Leichhardt, Mr Jim Turnour, said Centrelink is doing a great job and local Central and Northern Queensland based staff should be congratulated on their efforts.
“Centrelink has been able to use its connections throughout this part of the world to come to the aid of these students,” Mr Turnour said.
“Qantas, who is contracted by Centrelink to provide travel services for ABSTUDY students, has been working on alternative charter arrangements to reschedule affected students.”
“It’s regrettable the disruption to services coincided with the start of the fourth school term for boarding students, but Centrelink’s swift response has ensured no students will be left stranded.”
Media Contact
Minister Ludwig’s Media Contact: Sarah Cosson — 0423 823 843
Mr Turnour's Media Contact: Belinda Featherstone — 0427 737 203.
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