The defence prime will work with the Department of Education on the design of learning programs and the workplace experience needed for students to prepare themselves for a career in the industry.

Sydney-based Renaissance Partners, which would establish Darwin and Canberra hubs for Rex as part of its ambition to build a restored TAA as “Australia’s third airline”, was knocked back a second time by administrator EY Australia earlier this month.

The inaugural flight HX17 landed at Sydney Airport from Hong Kong on Saturday aboard the A330-300 B-LHL, with the full-service carrier expanding seat capacity on the Sydney-Hong Kong route – Sydney’s third busiest international destination after Singapore and Auckland – by 20 per cent.

Israeli and Iranian airspace has been closed due to the escalating conflict between the two long-time adversaries, leaving around 4,200 Australians stranded. If repatriation flights go ahead, it would be at least the third time in three years that Australians have been evacuated from the region.