Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

I will start answering the question, and then I will pass to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, who is responsible for both the legislation and the Same Job, Same Pay policy, which I suspect the member was referring to. It has been terrific to see our airlines come back at strength. We are seeing almost 100 per cent of domestic demand coming back. That is very pleasing to see. I do note that Qantas has become very profitable and had the previous government done what we suggested and actually provide JobKeeper with an equity stake in Qantas, we would actually be making quite a bit of money at the moment. It might have been something that would be a very good idea.

But I absolutely am conscious that Qantas is in the building lobbying, as are a number of other businesses at the moment. Can I assure you, our interest is getting wages moving and is making sure that the services that are delivered right the way across the country and that the wages of regional people are actually benefiting from our industrial relations legislation. I will pass to the minister.

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