Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Well, they do not want it now. If the Labor Party are concerned about the finances of Qantas, one way they can fix it is by getting rid of the $120 million carbon tax that is imposed. We want safe airlines in Australia. We believe that the way Virgin operates is safe. You would think from reading some of the union submissions that the old white Australia policy is back: Australian workers good, Asian workers bad when it comes to servicing aircraft. I reject that completely.

We need to get out of the hair of these international companies. To think that any politician—Labor, Greens or even us—should be there to try to tell respected, intelligent and competent businesspeople how to run their airlines is an absolute farce. We should be doing what Qantas are asking for: putting them on an equal footing with Virgin.

I want to seek leave to continue my remarks. I apologise to Senator Xenophon. He has an interest in this and will not get an opportunity to speak. As the last speaker, I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted.