Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I understand last week I was being criticised for not having the confidence of Mr Sheldon and now I am being criticised for being too close to him, for being run by him. It is amazing how the Liberal Party can change their position to suit the politics of the day—but have no policy, no consistency and no contribution.

Can I make clear that at no time prior to Saturday afternoon—although it was late Saturday Perth time when I received the call from Mr Joyce—had Qantas canvassed the issue of a lockout of their employees. They had never advised us that that was an option they were considering, let alone one they were going to exercise. They advised me, as they did Minister Albanese, that they had taken that decision, had had it authorised by the board and were going to move immediately to close their airline. That was the first that we knew of it.