Mildura leaders label Qantas staff base closure a 'slap in the face' to region

Mildura community leaders have criticised Qantas's decision to close its local staff base.

On Wednesday, Qantas confirmed it would close its three smallest bases, located in Mildura, Hobart and Canberra, impacting about 70 staff.

Qantas said affected staff would be consolidated into its Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane bases to strengthen the resilience of QantasLink's operation.

Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the decision was a "slap in the face to the Sunraysia region", where there were eight staff.

"[The] decision to close the Mildura Qantas base next April shows total disrespect to long-standing Mildura residents, pilots and cabin crew, who have served with distinction,"

she said.

"This is the thanks they get? Just two years' support to commute from Mildura to alternat