Facing questions from Coalition, transport minister also says she spoke to Qantas before ruling but to her recollection it was on an unrelated matter
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast
The transport minister, Catherine King, has admitted she spoke with Virgin Australia and a lobbyist for the Qatar government before making her decision to block the gulf carrier’s request to fly an extra 21 services to major Australian cities.
The Albanese government has been called into question by industry groups, the opposition and crossbenchers over its decision to not grant the extra flights to Qatar Airways, which it argues was made in the national interest.
About Author
More Stories
Move over, Med diet – plantains and cassava can be as healthy as tomatoes and olive oil, say researchers
Nvidia’s CEO makes surprise visit to Beijing after US restricts chip sales to China
Italian opposition file complaint over far-right deputy PM party’s use of ‘racist’ AI images