The access to healthcare for rural communities is already fragile and now hangs in the balance as the nation watches the future of Rex Airlines unfold.
The nearly 30 per cent of Australia’s population who live rurally, generate at least 80 per cent of the nation’s export revenue, 50 per cent of tourism income and 90 per cent of the food the rest of the country consumes. Yet, the people living in these areas often face considerable health challenges, including limited access to medical facilities and health workers, the tyranny of distance and cost of delivery of care. Reliable transport networks are crucial in bridging this gap, enabling the efficient movement of healthcare professionals, medications and supplies, and facilitating patient transfers to larger medical centres when needed.
Rex Airlines has been a crucial lifeline for rural communities, allowing them to be connected to vital healthcare that is not available in their own areas. Not only do regional airlines and airports enable residents to visit family in cities and access urgent medical care, they also provide an affordable and reliable means for healthcare professionals who fly in and fly out to reach their destinations.
In addition, rural health services rely heavily on the ability to transport essential items such as medications, medical supplies and equipment. Regular and dependable air transport, as well as roads, ensure that community and general practices, dentists, hospitals and pharmacies can operate effectively with the required supplies, providing timely care to communities that often face unique health challenges. Disruptions in this transport network compromises the delivery of critical healthcare services, potentially putting lives at risk and exacerbating health inequalities that already exist.
Research undertaken by the National Rural Health Alliance in 2023 showed that on average rural and remote Australians receive $850 per person less healthcare than their urban counterparts. That is a total across the rural population of $6.5 billion per annum. And yet, Australia is dependent on these people remaining healthy to keep the country moving forward.
The economic output of rural Australia, driven by agriculture, resources, fisheries, forestry and tourism, supports a substantial portion of the national economy. Resources and rural industries alone are around 80% of Australia’s exports. Maintaining this economic strength requires robust investment in regional infrastructure, including transportation systems such as airlines. The potential loss of affordable regional flights could have a ‘domino effect’ on local economies, disrupting not only the flow of goods and services but also the accessibility and quality of health care.
The current situation with Rex Airlines is a critical moment as one of the enablers of healthcare access for people living in rural Australia. The government’s consideration of a partnership with the airline, rather than a direct bailout, represents a strategic approach to preserving regional connectivity and healthcare support, an understanding that when market fails government often needs to step in. Such a partnership could ensure that the essential transport links remain intact, safeguarding the delivery of health services and maintaining economic stability for the regions as well as the nation as a whole.
Ensuring that healthcare services can operate without disruption is essential for safeguarding the health of rural communities. The broader goal must be to create a resilient regional transport network and infrastructure, that supports both the health needs of rural, remote and regional communities and, significantly, the economic vitality of whole Australia.
The health of the nation depends upon it.
Susanne Tegen
Chief Executive
National Rural Health Alliance