SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
4 OCTOBER 2023
Media Release
AVIATION INQUIRY – QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED
The Aviation Senate Inquiry has already achieved a lot and made a difference for the Australian travelling public.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Chair of the Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the inquiry thus far has heard powerful evidence and delivered practical results, but there are still questions to answer.
“The attention of the Senate inquiry has yielded profuse and repeated apologies from Qantas on their behaviour, reforms initiated to their frequent flyer program and an admission that they are now the lone airline stakeholder against additional flights from Qatar Airways and hence cheaper airfares for travelling Australians.
“Industry experts, tourism businesses, and airports from across Australia have told the inquiry how important greater competition in our aviation industry is, particularly when it comes to the Government’s decision to block Qatar Airways’ request for additional flights.
“Evidence before the Inquiry suggested the additional flights could add $3 billion over five years to our economy, provide jobs, and reduce the price of airfares,” Senator McKenzie said.
“While we are pleased with the results from the inquiry, there are still questions to be answered.”
Senior departmental officials were gagged by the Minister during the hearings, preventing them from providing critical evidence.
“The Prime Minister, Minister King and former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce are the only ones who can explain why the government made this decision.”
“Minister King should show respect to the Senate and present to the Committee to answer questions she has not to date,” Senator McKenzie said.
Australians cannot wait for the Albanese Government to act on an aviation Green Paper.
“The Government needs to immediately review the Qatar Airways decision, reinstate the ACCC monitoring into cancellations and delays, and implement the recommendations of the Harris Review into Sydney airport slots,” Senator McKenzie said.
“These measures would improve competition, reliability and affordability of our aviation sector.”
“If Minister King refuses to appear before the Inquiry, the Committee will consider what further steps can be taken to extract answers from a Labor Government determined to run protection for Qantas,” Senator McKenzie said.
ENDS.