Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is also to the Deputy Prime Minister. Can the minister confirm that, when Labor proposed, in the 2009 aviation white paper, that majority Australian ownership be maintained but the 35 and 25 per cent foreign equity restrictions be lifted, he opposed this change because, and I quote: 'Loss of effective Australian control could leave Australia without an airline primarily committed to our interests.' Given the minister's inconsistency, was he just playing politics then or is he playing politics now?

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

The question will stand with the exception of the last part of the question which is against the standing orders. I call the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The proposal that the Australian government is putting before the parliament at the present time is a comprehensive response to level the playing field to enable airlines to compete fairly and squarely in this country. What the opposition was proposing at the time was part way towards that direction.

I am interested now that the opposition is suggesting that they might still be prepared to go part-way to the proposal, part-way to achieving the best possible outcome. So my suggestion and advice to the opposition is that they come the whole way, that they agree to the repeal of part 3, as we are proposing, to give the airlines the opportunity to operate on a fair and even playing field. On top of that, I suggest that they vote with the government to get rid of the carbon tax so that Australian airlines are better able to compete, that their costs are lower and therefore they can provide more opportunities for Australian workers and more services to Australian commuters.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table a document. There are any number of documents but the interview perhaps is one of the best from the Deputy Prime Minister, on 16 December proposing the changes.

Leave not granted.