Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Hansard source

My question is of the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. In just seven weeks, the government ministers have given seven different excuses for Minister King's decision to stop Australians from accessing more seats and cheaper airfares. The excuses have variously been human rights, decarbonising aviation, protecting Qantas jobs, helping Qantas pay for its new fleet, the national interest, keeping Qantas profitable, and, finally, the Treasurer chimed in with 'Qatar have unused access right now; that is the issue'. Is the Treasurer's statement the authoritative answer as to why this government chose to keep airfares high and reduce competition in our aviation sector, and, if not, what is the real reason for the decision?