Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. I refer the minister to comments made last week by the minister for transport, Catherine King, when she said, regarding the government's rejection of Qatar Airways, 'I consulted colleagues prior to the decision but the decision was mine.' Earlier that day you yourself, Minister, remarked on ABC RN's Breakfast:

We've been pushing the expansion of flights with a whole range of countries at the moment.

…   …   …

… I can't say that I specifically had a conversation with her, but I'm aware that her department made it clear that they were … dealing with this issue and going to make a decision about it.

Can you confirm that, despite Minister King's claims she consulted with colleagues, you as this country's Minister for Trade and Tourism were not consulted prior to her making a decision? On what date did you learn that she had made the decision?