Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to ongoing speculation since early December that the government would offer support for a stand-by facility. Prime Minister, what will be the implication for Qantas jobs, the Qantas share price and Qantas shareholders if that speculation does not result in action, and when will the government act to support Australia's national airline?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a very serious subject and it deserves to be taken extremely seriously by this parliament. This government is determined to ensure that, as far as reasonably possible, there is a level playing field for competition and that Qantas is not competing against its fierce rivals with a ball and chain around its legs. That is what we are determined to ensure. We know that Qantas would like some further additional assistance. The difficulty with that request is this. Why should the government do for one what it is not prepared to do for all? That is the issue. We are determined to help Qantas. We will help Qantas by establishing a level playing field and we will help Qantas by cutting its costs—

Mr Watts interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Gellibrand will remove himself under standing order 94(a).

The member for Gellibrand then left the chamber.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and we will help Qantas by saving it some $270 million in carbon tax costs over two years. That is what we want to do to help Qantas. The government is prepared to help Qantas in these important ways but, for the government to help Qantas, we need the help of the opposition. We need the help of the opposition to sort out the Qantas Sale Act. We need the help of the opposition this side of July to sort out the carbon tax. I ask members opposite: are they prepared to help?