Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Given the widespread concerns about the minister for transport's decision to protect Qantas from additional competition by Qatar Airways, especially from those Australian exporters and those in the tourism industry, is the government considering reviewing its decision on Qatar Airways?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Canavan for his question. The issue, of course, in this respect is an issue for the minister for transport, Minister Catherine King. She made the original decision to decline the offer of Qatar to increase its services and, of course, she has responsibility to determine whether any airline should be allowed extra slots in Australian airports. I have said on a number of occasions that, if Qatar wanted to get some extra flights into Australia, they could come into Adelaide. They've got one service a day.

Yes; I'll take that interjection from Senator Birmingham: so could Qantas. Qantas does not have a single international flight out of Adelaide and hasn't for 10 long years. I would very much welcome additional flights from Qatar out of Adelaide, which they can do right now. I would also welcome any flights from Qantas.

The direct answer to your question, Senator Canavan, is that this is an issue with the minister for transport. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, first supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

r CANAVAN () (): No answer there. Minister, there are reports that the Austrade stand at Fine Food Australia, a leading food industry trade event, has been restricted to Indigenous-only businesses. Is this correct? Are all of the 15 producers featured on this stand actually exporters? How does this policy help the many other Australian exporters, who will face extra logistics costs because government insists on there being fewer flights out of Australia?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just a moment, Minister Farrell. I've got Minister Gallagher on her feet.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sure I know what Minister Gallagher is going to say—that this has no relevance at all to the initial question—but I'm happy to answer it.

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think Senator Farrell is making a point of order. On that issue: the original question specifically asked about the complaints of Australian exporters and the cost to them of this decision, and so does the supplementary, so I reject that point of order.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would say it's quite thin, but there's a link there, and the minister is answering your question. Minister Farrell.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You'll get a direct answer, right? Surprise, surprise! It must be the end of two weeks in the Senate question time. Regrettably, there has been some misinformation about what has been occurring at the Fine Food Australia exhibit, and I would like to take this opportunity—thank you, Senator Canavan—to correct the situation. There are something like 850 exhibitors from across Australia at this event, from the food, beverage and hospitality sector. Of the 300 face-to-face interviews that Austrade organised for the participants, only 15 of them— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, second supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why have the Prime Minister and Minister King let the uncertainty and confusion surrounding their rejection of more flights in and out of Australia drag on for weeks? Given the perceived quid pro quo deal between the government and Qantas as the flagship corporate supporter of the 'yes' campaign and the Voice referendum, is it time for the Prime Minister to cut his ties with Qantas and Alan Joyce?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Canavan for his second supplementary question. I don't think there could be anybody in this chamber that could not have seen the reaction by Labor members of parliament, including great senators like Senator Sheldon, to the decision yesterday by the High Court to make it very clear that actions by Qantas to sack 1,700 of their workforce and replace them—actions that you supported. You supported Qantas. I don't think anybody—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right! Senator McKenzie, I remind you that you do not stand and then move to a point of order. You wait until I call you. Senator McKenzie.

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

A point of order.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

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

It's on direct relevance. Senator Canavan's question was about cutting ties with Qantas as the 'yes' campaign flagship, given the High Court decision yesterday.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McKenzie. The minister is being relevant to the question. Minister Farrell, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was your government that supported Qantas when they illegally sacked— (Time expired)