11. Question No. 11—TransportSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 11—Transport11. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of Transport: Can he confirm the reported statement he made to Sounds Air Managing Director Andrew Crawford on 18 March that We're not going to let you guys down we're going to support the rural networks you're a key part of the infrastructure of this country" and if yes what has he done to deliver on these commitments?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education) on behalf of the Minister of Transport: On behalf of the Minister of Transport yes and as part of our $600 million aviation support package the Government's already provided support to airlines to fund air freight on the rural networks including Air Chathams Barrier Air Fly My Sky Island Air Charters and Air Napier. While these measures directly support airlines remote communities and exporters we've also stepped in to fund things like air traffic control and security screening things the aviation industry would normally pay for themselves. We've also halted any increases to fees. The Ministry of Transport is continuing to work with Sounds Air about what a package would look like for them.Stuart Smith: Why has there been no progress and minimal discussion with Sounds Air over the six weeks since he made that statement of support?SPEAKER: I'm going to ask the member to rephrase it to take the assertion out.Stuart Smith: Why has there been no progress and minimal discussion with Sounds Air over the six weeks since he had assured support for Sounds Air?SPEAKER: OK well I'll add a "reported" in there and then it's probably OK.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I disagree with the assertion in the member's question. I can say that the ministry met with Sounds Air on 24 March. Sounds Air provided the ministry further information in the middle of April. The ministry requested further information from them. They had a further discussion with Sounds Air on 20 April; further information was provided by Sounds Air from that date. On 23 April Sounds Air supplied more information to the ministry. The ministry met with them on 23 April and they've had further contact on 28 April.Stuart Smith: Is it fair for the Government to provide $900 million of financial support for Air New Zealand within one week but to leave regional airlines like Sounds Air teetering on the brink of receivership?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I reject the premise in the member's question. Sounds Air have already benefited from the wage subsidy as many other businesses up and down the country have benefited from that and discussions between Sounds Air and the ministry are continuing around what an additional support package for them might look like.Stuart Smith: Will the Minister guarantee continuity of air services to the capital for the communities solely dependent on Sounds Air—for Blenheim Taupō Picton and Westport?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I can guarantee them that the ministry will continue to talk with Sounds Air around what a support package for them will look like.SPEAKER: I'm just going to look at—Ms Kuriger I thought your questions are finished. Do you agree with me?Barbara Kuriger: Was that four?SPEAKER: Yep OK."