nsw regional travel card 2023

NSW TAXI COUNCIL

The Peak Body of the NSW Taxi Industry

• Jan 19, 2022

The NSW Taxi Industry welcomes the extension and expansion of the Regional Seniors Travel Card

(Source - The National Party of Australia website)

The NSW Taxi Council and the Country Taxi Operators Association welcomes the announcement from the NSW Nationals - Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW - Paul Toole and Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads - Sam Farraway to extend the Regional Seniors Travel Card program until the end 2023 as well as the expansion of the eligibility to include seniors who are carers and those with disabilities.

The Regional Seniors Travel Card was initially promised for two years at the 2019 election by the NSW Nationals and has been a huge success with 691,000 cards issued since the launch. Due to this huge success, the program has been expanded for two more years until the end of 2023.

The Regional Seniors Travel Card provides eligible seniors living in Regional, Rural and Remote areas of NSW with a $250 prepaid card to help ease the cost of travel and use the card at certain retailers and to pay for Taxis, fuel and pre-booked NSW Trainlink Regional trains. The eligibility has now been expanded to also include seniors who are carers and those with disabilities.

Martin Rogers - CEO, NSW Taxi Council said, "The Regional Seniors Travel Card has significantly benefitted the local Taxi Operators in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW during what has been a challenging time for the NSW Taxi Industry due to the impact of COVID-19. We would like to thank the NSW Nationals, Deputy Premier - Paul Toole and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads - Sam Farraway for extending and expanding the regional seniors travel card program."

Applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card are now open and close on November 20, 2022.

To find out more, or to apply, go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/regionalseniorstravel

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Lobby group calls for NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card to be made permanent

A seniors lobby group has called on the state government and opposition to commit to making the NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card permanent.

The scheme, trialled for two years starting in 2020, and then extended by another two years, is due to expire at the end of this year.

"The NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card is very popular and helps regional seniors cope with today's high inflation and cost-of-living pressures," said Combined Pensioners' and Superannuants' Association policy manager Paul Versteege.

The card can be used to pay for pre-booked NSW TrainLink regional trains and coaches, as well as fuel and taxis.

While commending the state government on introducing the scheme, Mr Versteege said it was now time for both the state government and opposition to acknowledge its success and commit to its continuation.

"The card has been on trial for almost four years and has been a big success," he said.

"The time for trialling is over; it now needs to be permanent."

People can apply for the card up until November 30. Details HERE

• READ MORE: Older driver test 'unfair and onerous'
• READ MORE: Older Australians in dire straits as cost of living outstrips pensions

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NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card extended until the end of 2023

Seniors in the Highlands and Tablelands have the opportunity to save on travel costs with the two-year extension of the NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card .

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The initiative began in 2020, and over 690,000 $250 cards have been distributed since then.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said $246 million has been dedicated to the extension, where seniors can reap the benefits until the end of 2023.

"The NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card has been an overwhelming success, ensuring seniors in rural, regional and remote areas of the State are able to offset some of their costs for getting to the shops, to medical appointments, staying connected locally and with friends and family living in other parts of the State," he said.

Read also: Here's who topped each subject in the HSC

He said that the eligibility has been extended to people with disabilities and seniors who are carers.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said eligible applicants will receive a $250 pre-paid Visa card that could be used for fuel, taxis, pre-booked NSW TrainLink Regional trains and coaches, and select community transport services.

The cards are contactless which make payments easier and safer for users.

"By putting an extra $250 in the pockets of our regional seniors, we are boosting access to safe and convenient travel, as well as reducing the burden on people who often have fewer transport options than those living in the city," he said.

Read also: Child's body found in barrel, man charged

"This initiative has also injected more than $131 million into regional economies, benefitting local taxi operators and fuel stations."

Along with the existing criteria, seniors can apply for a travel card if they are eligible for the Age Pension, and receiving either a Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment from Services Australia.

Seniors have until November 30 to apply for the this year's installment of the travel card.

Eligible participants will also be able to apply for a 2023 Regional Seniors Travel Card early next year.

Read also: NSW school return sparks COVID surge fears

With the latest COVID-19 health advice, seniors are encouraged to apply online or call 13 77 88 rather than visit a service centre.

More information can be found at service.nsw.gov.au/regionalseniorstravel .

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here for the Highlands and here for the Tablelands . If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

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Regional communities out in force to save the Regional Seniors Travel Card from Labor’s axe

• Regional communities out in force…

Seniors across regional NSW are coming out in force to take a stand against Labor’s plan to axe the Regional Seniors Travel Card.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said thousands of people have signed an online petition to save the card, after the Minns government suspended new applications.

“The Labor Government has completely underestimated how valuable the Regional Seniors Travel Card is to seniors living in regional NSW,” Mr Saunders said.

“This is a major issue for seniors from Tuncurry to Tottenham and Tweed Heads. As I travel across the state seniors are worried the travel card will be cut.

“It is more important than ever that everyone has their say by signing the petition to save the card which has over one million users and has been running successfully for three years.”

Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said Labor is looking for any reason to cut funding from regional NSW.

“I am appalled Labor has decided to set its targets on our seniors, who are our most trusted cohort and play an enormous role in our communities,” Mr Farraway said.

“The government has taken the drastic step of suspending all new applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card and has launched an investigation into how seniors use their cards.

“Only two weeks ago the government announced subsidised travel for seniors using their opal cards in Sydney and in the same breath suspended new applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card. This is another case of the Minns government prioritising Sydney over regional NSW,” he said.

Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson said seniors in her electorate use their travel cards every day.

“I hear new stories every day from seniors in my electorate about how they use their travel cards and how it has made their lives a little bit easier,” Mrs Thompson said.

“Living on the mid-coast is beautiful but it can be harder for our seniors to travel long distances or simply make it to essential appointments.

“We want to send a message from Myall Lakes to the government that the Regional Seniors Travel Card is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” she said.

To sign the petition to save the Regional Seniors Travel Card, visit: www.savethetravelcard.com.au

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With NSW TrainLink you can travel by train and coach to 365+ destinations across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.

Seats on Regional services are allocated and you will need to book your ticket before you travel. You cannot use an Opal card for travel on these services. Book online, over the phone or in person with an accredited sales agent. On selected services, you can purchase a ticket on board using cash or credit/debit card.

NSW TrainLink provides travel options across a range of fares for Regional services.

Adult fares are available on all Regional services for people aged 16 years and over. Fares may include seasonal and special discounts throughout the year.

Child fares are available on most Regional services for children aged 4 to 15 years. Family fares are also available.

Children aged 0 to 3 years travel for free on Regional services.

A number of Concession fares are available on most Regional services, including student and pensioner. You must present proof of entitlement at the time of booking and also carry this with you when you travel. Check your eligibility .

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NSW TrainLink Discovery Pass offers unlimited travel on train and coach Regional services for the duration and travel class of the pass that has been purchased.

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When travelling on Regional train services, you can book a class of travel that suits your needs.

Most of the seats available on Regional services are Economy . All coach travel is classed as Economy.

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When you book online, a 10% discount is automatically applied to most Adult fares. All applicable fares shown on this website are inclusive of the 10% online booking discount.

If you need to change an existing online booking and want to retain your 10% discount, you will need to cancel your original booking and complete a new booking online. We recommend you rebook your new trip before cancelling your existing booking.

If you change an online booking over the phone on 13 22 32 or through a NSW TrainLink accredited sales outlet, you will no longer be eligible for the online discount and may be required to pay the fare difference and a rebooking fee. Child , Student , Pensioner , Concession , Discovery Pass , Employee and  sleeper compartment fares do not qualify for the online booking discounts.

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When you book a Standard Adult fare online 5 or more days before your departure date, you can get a discount of up to 10% on your fare, plus an additional 10% discount for booking online.

The Advance booking discount is available for selected services and travel dates only, and will be marked as an ‘Economy Saver’ or ‘First Class Saver’ in your fare options. See more on the Advance booking discount .

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Online Saver fares mean you can save on Standard Adult travel with limited-time offers on selected trips. Online Saver fares are discounted up to 25% from Standard Adult fares and can only be purchased online. Plus when you book online, you will get an additional 10% discount.

If an Online Saver fare is available for your trip, it will be marked as 'Economy Saver' or 'First Class Saver' in your fare options. See all current Online Saver fares .

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News Of The Area

Modern media delivering relevant community news, the regional seniors travel card program is to be extended until the end of 2023.

• Coffs Coast

THE Regional Seniors Travel Card program is to be extended for an additional two years in 2022 and 2023 at a cost of $246 million.

First introduced as a trial in 2020, the program has issued cards to over 660,000 people so far and can be used for pre-booked NSW Trainlink Regional trains and coaches, fuel and taxis.

To be eligible for the $250 prepaid Visa card, people must have reached the Age Pension Age, live in a designated regional area and be receiving one of the following-

• The Age Pension through Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

• A Disability Support Pension or a Carer Payment from Services Australia

• A Service Pension issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

• A Disability Pension through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

• A War Widow(er)’s Pension issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (issued by Services Australia or the Dept of Veterans’ Affairs) are also eligible.

State Treasurer Mr Dominic Perrottet said, “I was initially sceptical about this program, but after the success of the trial I am now a true believer, and I am very pleased to be able to extend that trial now that it has been proven to work, this card makes a difference in the lives of our older regional residents.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Mr Gurmesh Singh noted that the trial program was initiated in Coffs Harbour and that the feedback that he had received indicated that it had had a huge impact on the local community and welcomed the extension of the card.

More information about eligibility and which regional areas are included in this initiative can be found at www.service.nsw.gov.au .

By David TUNE

One thought on “ The Regional Seniors Travel Card program is to be extended until the end of 2023 ”

Keep the Regional Seniors Travel Card going PLEASE as it is a great help to pensioners . Thank You.

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Pensioners left behind in 2023-24 NSW Budget as Regional Seniors Travel Card axed

Article published 19 september 2023.

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CPSA welcomes the news of increases in existing cost-of-living supports in the 2023- 24 NSW Budget, but calls for the NSW Government to commit to continuing the NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Please see CPSA’s full comments on the 2023-23 NSW Budget in the media release below.

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Applications open for 2023 Regional Seniors Travel Card

Seniors living across the Dubbo electorate will save another $250 on travel costs thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is encouraging seniors to take advantage of the initiative, which is now in its fourth year.

“This government is cutting the cost of living to make daily life easier thanks to our Regional Seniors Travel Card,” Mr Saunders said.

“The $250 pre-paid Visa card can be used on fuel, taxis, electric charging stations and pre-booked NSW TrainLink regional trains and coaches, helping eligible seniors with the cost of getting from A to B.

“We know how much seniors value this card – it can mean a few extra visits to the grandkids, or make seeing friends locally, getting to the shops, or attending medical appointments much easier.”

Since 2020, more than 26,000 cards have been issued to seniors across the Dubbo Regional, Mid-Western Regional and Narromine Shire local government areas, injecting over $6.5 million into the economy:

• Dubbo Regional: 15,491 cards at a value of $3.9 million
• Mid-Western Regional: 8,293 cards worth over $2 million
• Narromine Shire: 2286 cards worth $571,500

The Regional Seniors Travel Card has injected $196 million into regional economies, with more than one million cards issued across the state since the scheme started in 2020.

Applications are now open and will close on November 30, 2023.

Seniors can apply at www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-regional-seniors-travel-card , by visiting their local Service NSW shopfront or calling 1800 569 070.

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Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card

Supporting access to education and training in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW. 

About the card

Following a comprehensive expenditure review, the NSW Government has decided to close the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card trial program. 

Existing cardholders can continue to use their travel card until it expires. The expiry date is printed on the front of your card.

For more information and support with an already active card, refer to Managing your card .

Cardholders

Using your card

Find out where you can use your card. 

Managing your card

Learn how to activate your card and manage your PIN and card balance.

Terms and Conditions

Read the card's Terms and Conditions. 

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Accepting travel related payments.

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Aboriginal Affairs NSW 2023/2024 Cultural Grants - Round 2

These images are for exclusive use by Aboriginal Affairs NSW. Please contact us for usage requests.

The Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grants Program supports Aboriginal community organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal culture and hold key cultural events and activities.

Key information

• Status: Closed
• Grant amount: From $500 to $20,000
• Application opened: 15 January 2024
• Application closed: 26 February 2024, 11:00 am

Program objective

The AANSW Cultural Grants Program objectives are to:

• support Aboriginal communities to strengthen, protect and maintain traditional and contemporary expressions of Aboriginal culture
• support key contemporary Aboriginal cultural events and activities
• contribute to Aboriginal community wellbeing and healing, through the use of Aboriginal culture and community connection
• facilitate sharing of Aboriginal cultural knowledge and skills between generations.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website for more information regarding program objectives.

This program is funded and administered by Aboriginal Affairs.

Eligibility

Who can apply.

Eligible entities

To be eligible you must be:

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
• a company incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
• a Local Aboriginal Land Council under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983(NSW)
• an Incorporated Association (incorporated under state legislation, and commonly have ‘Association’ or ‘Incorporated’ or ‘Inc’ in their legal name)
• an Incorporated Cooperative (incorporated under state legislation, and commonly have ‘Cooperative’ in their legal name)
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust; OR
• an Aboriginal sole trader or business whose primary business activity relates to cultural expression or revitalisation (noting projects must not be profit-making in nature); OR
• a Local Aboriginal Land Council under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.

Applicants must also:

• be able to enter into a funding agreement with AANSW and have an Australian bank account
• have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim or be willing to purchase it and include the cost of insurance as part of the project budget.

Unincorporated groups

If an unincorporated Aboriginal group wishes to apply under the 2023-2024 Cultural Grant Program, they will need to partner with a not-for-profit organisation to receive and administer the funding. An organisation may only act as an auspice for one grant project in each round.

Types of projects funded under this grant

Projects must take place within NSW, and applicants must deliver a service to Aboriginal communities within NSW.

When the project can start and end

The project should be started by 1 July 2024 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2025.

What costs you can apply for

Funding must be used for projects that meet the objectives of the Cultural Grants Program. The following are examples of the types of activities that may be considered for funding, where they are aligned with the program objectives:

• women’s or men’s gathering on Country
• a culture and wellbeing camp for Aboriginal youth
• creation of a digital installation showing Aboriginal history of the local community
• a statewide regional music and cultural festival
• a series of online and/or face-to-face workshops.

Note: Where events are ticketed, any income generated from ticket sales must be included and expended within the program budget.

Funding can be used for:

• purchase of consumables – such as catering, equipment items and materials for activities (excluding alcohol) – for the purposes of the project or event
• hiring equipment to be used for the period of the project or event
• engaging contractors such as facilitators, trainers and teachers
• eligible costs associated with holding key statewide and/or regional Aboriginal sporting and cultural events
• purchasing minor equipment for event activities up to the value of $5,000 (please refer to the FAQs for guidance on minor equipment)
• administering the project, with up to 10% of the requested AANSW funding amount able to be used for this task or as auspice fees where there is an auspicing arrangement.

Eligible sole trader/business applicants may include up to 10% of the requested AANSW funding amount to cover remuneration costs. Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information.

Who can’t apply

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

• an individual
• a non-Aboriginal group or organisation (except for eligible auspice organisations auspicing an unincorporated Aboriginal community group)
• federal and state government agencies and bodies, including NSW public schools and hospitals
• unincorporated organisations or groups without an eligible auspicing organisation
• organisations that have not met project requirements, including acquitting and reporting for any grant funding received from AANSW in the previous 2 years
• organisations with redress sanctions as described in the National Redress Scheme.

What costs you can't apply for

Funding cannot be used for:

• costs for individual sporting teams or cultural groups to attend competitions or events
• capital costs – any type of building, construction, major equipment or capital works including renovations to a building, housing-related costs or the purchase of land
• purchase of vehicles
• wages, salaries and on-costs for ongoing staff
• sitting fees, travel allowances or costs associated with membership of boards/councils
• activities that may create an ongoing dependency on cultural grant funding, such as funding that is required over multiple years
• costs that are not directly associated with the delivery of the project
• activities related to NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout, which has a separate funding program
• activities related to NAIDOC Week events, which has a separate funding program
• international travel costs (proposals for domestic travel costs need to demonstrate the benefits of travel to the project, organisation and community)
• operational and business-as-usual costs
• merchandise such as backpacks, gift vouchers etc.

AANSW and the Aboriginal Languages Trust administer a range of other grant programs throughout the year, and applicants may be referred to apply to another program if it is considered a more suitable source of funding.

What your application needs to include

Prepare your application with this checklist.

The below documents are required before you submit your application:

• Letters of support from the local Aboriginal community (e.g. from local Aboriginal Elders/groups, community groups or potential participants). Letters must be current and specific to the project.  A letter of support provided by an alliance/consortium should clearly demonstrate support of the membership base of the alliance/consortium.
• Certificate of currency for public liability insurance (or a budget that includes the purchase of public liability insurance).
• Evidence of the value of goods and services (except the cultural components/services) for budget items such as hiring of venue, accommodation, catering, and hiring and/or purchase of equipment.

It is also recommended that applicants provide the following:

• evidence of successfully delivering other projects
• detailed project plans.

Video response to application questions

Applicants can choose to submit a video response to application questions on project objectives and outcomes. AANSW regional staff are available to support applicants with recording and preparing a file for upload if required.

Address the eligibility criteria

Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.

Address the assessment criteria

The 2023-2024 AANSW Cultural Grants Program is non-competitive program where applications are assessed individually against the assessment criteria without reference to the comparative merits of other applications. Only applications that are deemed to meet all assessment criteria will be recommended for funding.

Applications will be assessed by the Grant Assessment Panel in the order they are received.

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

Criterion 1: Project quality

Description of criterion: The project aligns with the program aim and objectives.

Specific information and evidence required:

• Evidence that the project meets the program aims and objectives
• Project celebrates Aboriginal culture and/or includes key traditional or contemporary cultural events or activities
• Project activities clearly demonstrate that the project addresses specific program objectives 

Criterion 2: Project detail

Description of criterion: Clear description of the project objective, how it will be delivered, evidence to demonstrate need and community involvement, along with a list of project activities.

• Detailed project plan
• Detailed description of project activities
• Implementation plan with explanation of what the funding will do and how it will be spent
• Rationale for level of need, and information on who will be involved

Criterion 3: Project impact

Description of criterion: Detail on how the project will benefit the community and make a tangible contribution to the cultural health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in a local area within NSW.

Specific information and evidence required: 

• Letters of support from the local Aboriginal community, i.e. from a group of Elders, community groups or potential participants. Letters must be current and specific to the project
• Evidence of who the project will benefit and how this will be achieved

Criterion 4: Organisation’s capacity to deliver the project

Description of criterion: The ability of the organisation to deliver the project objectives based on its experience and resources, community supports such as partnerships with other organisations and participation in other community projects.

• Experience managing previous projects, and outcomes achieved
• Demonstrated resources to deliver the project, or relevant training and experience of key staff involved in the project

Criterion 5: Value for money

Description of criterion: How the implementation of the project/event/activity will achieve high-quality outcomes for Aboriginal communities in a cost-effective way.

• Clarity on how budget items contribute to the project outcomes
• The budget must be reasonable and realistic
• Quotes to support the budget line items/detailed budget aligned with the project activities and plan

Start the application

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online at the AANSW online grants platform ( https://aboriginalaffairs.smartygrants.com.au/ ). Applicants are advised to visit the AANSW website to access Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .

Applicants are encouraged to contact their nearest AANSW Regional Office to discuss their project.

An organisation can only receive one grant from the 2023–2024 Cultural Grants Program. An organisation may additionally act as an auspice for a maximum of one project in each round.

Unsuccessful applicants will be offered a feedback session if requested and may reapply for funding under the program in the next opening period.

Supporting documents

Essential documents

• letters of support from the local Aboriginal community (e.g. from local Aboriginal Elders/groups, community groups or potential participants). Letters must be current and specific to the project. A letter of support provided by an alliance/consortium should clearly demonstrate support of the membership base of the alliance/consortium
• certificate of currency for public liability insurance (or a budget that includes the purchase of public liability insurance)
• evidence of the value of goods and services (except the cultural components/services) for budget items such as hiring of venue, accommodation, catering, and hiring and/or purchase of equipment.

Recommended documents:

Applicants are encouraged to provide other documentation and evidence that supports their application (e.g. evidence of successfully delivering other projects, detailed project plan).

• If you are a new applicant, you will need to register before you log in.
• You will need to provide your name, email address and create a password.
• You can also use an existing Facebook, Twitter or Google account to register.

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty

Assessment of grant applications

All applications will be screened for eligibility. Eligible applications will then be assessed against the assessment criteria by a panel of AANSW staff.

All assessment recommendations will be provided in writing to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty (the Minister).

The Minister is the final decision-maker considering the recommendations of the assessment panel.

Some applicants may be offered partial funding where budget includes ineligible items.

Applicants who are determined unsuccessful may reapply for funding in the next opening period.

Anticipated assessment outcome date is May 2024 onwards

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is May 2024 onwards

Support and contact

For any questions regarding the AANSW Cultural Grants Program, please contact your nearest AANSW regional office on the phone numbers below or email  [email protected]

Illawarra Southern     02 8575 1013

Batemans Bay

------------------------------------------------

New England North-west    02 8575 1172

Greater Northern      02 9566 8318

Coffs Harbour

Murdi Paaki         02 9224 4877

Broken Hill

Binaal Billa    02 8575 1518

Dubbo           02 8575 1073

Hunter Central Coast 02 8575 1680

Greater Sydney 1800 019 998

Bonza has entered voluntary administration. What's happening with the flight cancellations across Australia?

Many Australians have been left stranded at airports across the country after budget airline Bonza "temporarily" suspended all flights on Tuesday.

The company entered voluntary administration within hours of the cancellations, and the administrators have since confirmed the fleet will remain grounded until Thursday, May 2.

Here's what we know so far.

First up, what is Bonza?

Bonza Aviation was set up as a budget regional airline and its first flight took off in January 2023.

The airline aimed to target the regional routes that weren't serviced by the larger carriers like Virgin , Qantas or, more recently,  Rex Airlines . 

For example, with Bonza you were able to fly from the Sunshine Coast to Mildura without having to stop in a capital city.

The Transport Workers' Union said there were roughly 150 Bonza workers between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne.

Who owns Bonza?

The airline was the brainchild of  Tim Jordan, who held senior commercial roles with Virgin Australia . He was the chief executive of Bonza.

Back in 2023, Mr Jordan he said the airline would lead to cheaper  ticket prices  due to greater competition.

"I think in any industry anywhere in the world, additional competition is positive for downward pressure," he said at the time.

The airline has the backing of a US investment firm called 777 Partners .

Based in Miami, the firm describes itself as "investment platform that helps bold entrepreneurs transform visions into enduring value".

Among other things the firm owns an "ultra-low cost" airline in Canada called Flair Airlines and a minority stake in the Melbourne Victory A-League team.

What's happening with the Bonza flight cancellations? 

Customers arrived at airports across Australia to learn their flights had been cancelled. 

Mr Jordan released a two-line statement just after 8am saying all services would be temporarily halted:

"Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today (Tuesday 30th April), as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business. "We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market."

Basically, Mr Jordan said he was in talks about whether the business can continue.

But within hours a notice was filed to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) stating that the company had entered voluntary administration.

This means there is an opportunity for the director or a third party to rescue Bonza, or for the company to be restructured.

The airline is yet to provide any update, but administrators Hall Chadwick released a statement late on Tuesday afternoon saying that it is : "currently considering the continued trading of the company's operations during the course of the administration period including the continuation of employment of all employees of the company".

"The company's fleet is currently grounded pending discussions with relevant parties and key stakeholders," the statement reads.

"The grounding of the fleet is currently up to and including Thursday 2 May 2024, and customers with bookings during this period are advised not to travel to the airport."

Have the cancellations come out of nowhere?

It's not the first time the airline has cancelled flights. Roughly 1,600 customers were left in the lurch when its Darwin-Gold Coast flights were cancelled in December .

That cancellation was extended to March this year , flights were cancelled out of  Mount Isa  and the airline has been facing ongoing questions about  the timeliness of its arrivals .

Aviation expert Keith Tonkin said analysts felt it was difficult for the airline to make a profit.

He says that's because routes it took "had relatively thin margins" — but he says it's not impossible to break into a market dominated by Qantas and Virgin Airlines.

"Where there's a will there is a way," Mr Tonkin says.

"But Bonza's model has seemingly proven to be difficult to sustain."

Aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas, the editor-in-chief of the website Airline Ratings, said he understood the airline's backers, 777 partners, had made changes to the leasing and financing of its aircraft.

He said the budget carrier may have been caught off guard.

777 Partners has been contacted for comment.

"I think that the problem of Bonza is overseas, with leasing companies, and not the local management, not the business model," Mr Thomas said.

Has the government said anything?

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says she's looking into it. She says she's spoken to the chief executives of Qantas and Virgin.

"Both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home," Ms King says.

The Transport Department has established a hotline for stranded passengers –  1800 069 244 – that will be operating until 10pm on Monday. 

Ms King says she expects Bonza to deal with its customers in a transparent fashion.

"My department has reached out to Bonza and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights," she says.

Can I get a refund from Bonza?

Affected customers received text messages on Tuesday directing them to fill in an online form, which states:

"We will be issuing you a refund for this flight and, if you no longer wish to travel on them, any other flights on the same booking reference as this cancelled flight. "To allow us to process your refund as quickly as we can, please fill in the details below within the next 24 hours and note the form may close for responses after that time. "Once you have completed the form, you can expect the refund to appear in your account within 21 days. The refund will be paid to the payment method you used at the time of making the booking. "Sorry again for the inconvenience and we hope to welcome you onboard a Bonza flight in the future."

Customers whose flights have been cancelled in the past say they have had difficulty getting refunds from Bonza.

But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has protections in place for airline customers.

According to the ACCC, a travel service provider  must give the option of a refund if it can't provide a replacement service for a cancelled flight in a reasonable amount of time.

If you booked a now-cancelled Bonza flight using a credit or debit card online, you may be able to have that transaction reversed through your bank or financial institution, but it's unlikely to be a speedy process.

The Transport Department's hotline is focusing on helping stranded Bonza customers book Qantas, Virgin, or Jetstar flights.

The airlines have offered passengers stranded mid-journey on Tuesday complimentary seats, where available, on flights to the airport nearest to their final planned Bonza destination.

Bonza has not responded to requests for comment.

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