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

Senator Brown's question I think can be answered by saying that the Qantas Sale Act is the law of the land and Qantas are bound by that act. The government's advice is that, at this stage, there is nothing to indicate Qantas's proposed plans breach the Qantas Sale Act—but clearly that would be something we would keep under review when more details emerge as to how they might proceed in the general direction they have indicated. The Senate would be aware that Qantas have a number of subsidiaries that operate both locally and internationally, such as Jetstar, and they have diversified into those subsidiaries over the years. But our view is that the Qantas Sale Act is currently being complied with. Clearly, as the law of the land, it would have to be complied with, but we will obviously monitor any developments to ensure that Qantas continue to comply with the act.