SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
13 September 2023
Media Release
KING OF DELAYS AVOIDS QATAR AIRWAYS SCRUTINY
The Albanese Government continues its delay tactics and disrespect of the Senate by seeking to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny of Transport Minister Catherine King’s decision to protect Qantas’ profits by blocking additional competition in the aviation sector.
Just after 5 pm this afternoon, the Government presented a letter to the Senate President explaining Minister King’s refusal to comply with a Senate Order to produce documents by 5.30 pm tonight. Instead, the Minister writes she intends “to table the Government’s response to both these orders together, before 5.30 pm on Thursday, September 14, 2023.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said this latest attempt by Minister King and the Albanese Government to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny of the decision to reject Qatar Airways’ application for additional flights.
“The Minister knew the release of documents from the Infrastructure Department would avoid Question Time scrutiny on the last day of Parliamentary Sittings for a month,” Senator McKenzie said.
Senator McKenzie said the Government’s decision to delay release of documents typified a portfolio that has been defined by ‘cuts and delays’, including delays to:
- the 90 Day Infrastructure Pipeline Review (135 days and counting);
- reforms to the Infrastructure Australia Act;
- release of the Aviation Green paper;
- release of the Maritime Strategic Fleet taskforce report;
- release of the Inland Rail independent review;
- respond to the Harris Review into Sydney Airport demand management;
- delivery of government election promises to communities;
- extended vacancies on boards of important national transport safety authorities;
- release guidelines for regional grants programs;
- respond to concerns about shortages of Air Traffic Controllers; and
- delays to announcing grants for regional airports and regional roads projects.