David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Some of us will remember Labor's former resources minister and former tourism minister, Mr Martin Ferguson. He is a person for whom I have some great respect. He supports the changes, you will be surprised to know, to the Qantas Sale Act. He said on 28 February this year:

If we need some more foreign investment in Qantas subject to—

all of the normal requirements of the Navigation Act or

changes to the Qantas Act, then so be it …

And further:

It's about what's required to maintain Qantas.

Way back in 2002 and 2004, as shadow minister, he said, 'Labor is on the record as having an open mind on the relaxing of the 49 per cent foreign ownership cap on Qantas, as we recognise that without sufficient capital investment the airline is putting at risk its future international and domestic competitiveness.' There it is, from Martin Ferguson. Why can't others see that?