Federal ministers believe that there’s no need to reevaluate the government’s rejection of Qatar Airways’ request for more flights to major Australian airports.
This comes as the Senate voted to launch an inquiry into the Qatar decision and amid revelations that the Prime Minister was unaware of the exact timing of when Transport Minister Catherine King approved the decision, the ABC reported.
In Question Time on Tuesday, PM Anthony Albanese said that he had spoken with Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, whose airline has a partnership with Qatar, before the application was denied.
However, he later clarified that he had this conversation on 13 July, three days after the decision.
He reiterated that he had not spoken to former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.
“During that discussion I did not know that the transport minister has made a decision on 10 July 2023,” Albanese said, adding that the information “was only advised to me after Question Time”.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended the Qatar Airways rejection.
“Transport ministers of both political persuasions make decisions from time to time between countries about these sorts of arrangements,” Mr Chalmers said.
The Treasurer also said the government had no plans to review its rejection.
“That’s not our intention,” he remarked.
“Our aviation sector is expanding, the flights and opportunities for people to travel are expanding.”
How QR can still up flights down under
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil supported Minister King’s decision, suggesting that Qatar Airways could increase capacity in Australia through secondary airports or by using larger aircraft.
But Shadow Transport Minister Bridget McKenzie said the government had been evasive in explaining its decision and that would irk travellers.
“We keep getting different responses, different answers from ministers, and it’s time we got to the bottom of it,” she stated.
The opposition’s Senate leader, Simon Birmingham, called on the government to fully cooperate with the forthcoming inquiry and provide specific details on the factors that influenced its decision.
He highlighted the importance of examining the decision in the national interest.
According to the ABC, senators voted 32 to 31 in favour of an inquiry examining the impacts of the Qatar Airways decision, including the cost of flights.
The quashing of extra Qatar Airways services to Australia prompted travel industry appeals for an urgent review after revelations the Federal Government blocked the proposal, seemingly to protect Qantas interests.
