Danielle Slade, who ran for Labor in the last state election said the day might be the only opportunity to get a fair hearing for the high cost of airfares in regional Australia. 

“This is a federal inquiry and it has never been more important that we all show up and not just the North West, everyone from the Gulf to the NSW border,” Ms Slade said.

The official hearings starts at 9am Thursday in Cloncurry but only invited guests can speak though there is an informal meeting in the Leichhardt Hotel chaired by Senator Barry O’Sullivan

The Senate Enquiry Hearing is scheduled for 9 am Thursday in Cloncurry in the Business Precinct.  It’s by invitation only to speak and on the bill are Cloncurry Shire Council, cheaper fares advocate Hamish Griffin, economic development group MITEZ, the Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Australia, Mount Isa City Council and McKinlay Shire Council.

That is scheduled to finish up at 2pm and there is an informal forum at 4pm at the Good Shepherd Catholic College in Mount Isa chaired by Robbie Katter and Barry O’Sullivan.

Ms Slade said she was disappointed Mount Isa missed out on a hearing, but the city needed to make the most of what we have been offered.

“This is our chance to have our voices heard,” she said.

“If we all bring to the meetings an A4 white sheet of paper/sign with the price of the last ridiculous airfare you paid to get out of Mount Isa or any regional airport and just have it in front of you, it will get the attention of the committee and indeed the media.”