Qatar Airways inquiry: Anthony Albanese government loses key vote to investigate decision to block additional flights that would make airfare cheaper – as Labor is accused of running a ‘protection racket’ for Qantas
The government’s decision to block Qatar Airways’ request for an additional 21 flights to Australia will be the subject of an investigation.
National Senator Bridget McKenzie pleaded for an official inquiry this week and was supported 32-31 Tuesday afternoon.
Labor and the Greens voted against the motion, while the Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation and David Pocock and the Lambie Network voted in favour.
Ms McKenzie said of the decision: ‘The Senate has agreed to a short and sharp inquiry into Federal Labor’s decision to restrict flights to major capitals.
“Finally we can get to the bottom of why the government has restricted Australians from having a safe, reliable and competitive aviation industry.”
The government has maintained that there was nothing out of the ordinary about its decision to deny Qatar’s request.
The government has maintained that there was nothing out of the ordinary about its decision to deny Qatar’s request
Several ministers have noted that Qatar could add additional flights to Canberra, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Avalon.
Ms McKenzie also secured enough votes to demand the production of documents, giving the government until next week to submit them or explain why they were withheld.
In question time, she accused the government of running a ‘protection racket’ for Qantas after the transport minister refused to explain why her decision was made in the ‘national interest’.
“Who is really protecting the government when it says this decision was in the national interest?” she said Tuesday.
The commission for the investigation will consist of three opposition members, two from the government and two from either a small party or an independent party.
The deputy chairman must be a senator from a minor party or an independent party.
It will review any “decisions made by the federal government in relation to proposals received in the past 12 months for additional services to Australia’s main airports.”
Labor is subject to questions about Qantas’ lobbying at Qatar’s request