[Greens-Media] Greens secure support for Senate inquiry into Qantas

[Jegatheeswaran, Brami (Jegan) (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

MEDIA COMMENT
5 March 2014

Greens secure support for Senate inquiry into Qantas

The Greens have secured Labor's support for an inquiry into Qantas and potential forms of government assistance first floated earlier this week (http://bit.ly/1e09Gik).

Greens transport spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"After a week of constructive negotiations, The Greens are pleased that we've managed to secure support in the Senate for an inquiry investigating potential options available to the government and Parliament to assist Qantas.

"The Terms of Reference to be passed by the Senate tomorrow are almost identical to what The Greens moved in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon, with the support of Senator Xenophon, but were blocked by Labor and the Coalition.

"The Greens don't want to play politics with people's jobs and livelihood.

"This inquiry could be very significant in light of the thousands of Australian jobs that Mr Joyce and Mr Abbott have put at risk.

"We clearly need to understand what went wrong at Qantas, and what the government and Parliament can do to assist, to come up with recommendations that will help ensure we retain a national carrier operating out of Australia and we keep our workforce highly skilled.

"When the inquiry begins The Greens will immediately move to have Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to be called to give evidence, and for Qantas' books to be opened up to examination.

Terms of Reference

(1) That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2014:
Supporting Qantas and Australian jobs, with particular reference to:

(a)   what initiatives should be taken by Government and the Parliament to ensure Qantas remains a strong national carrier supporting aviation jobs in Australia, including:

(i) A debt guarantee;
(ii) An equity stake;
(iii) Other forms of support consistent with wider policy settings;

(2) In considering the merits of the above, the Committee should investigate:
(a) Any national security, skills, marketing, tourism, emergency assistance or other benefits provided by an Australian-owned Qantas;
(b) The level and forms of government support received by other international airlines operating to and from Australia;
(c) The ownership structures of other international airlines operating to and from Australia.
(d) The potential impact on Australian jobs arising from the Government's plan to repeal Part 3 of the Qantas Sale Act 1992;

(e) Any related matters.

Contact 0487 350 880


Brami Jegan
Media Adviser 0487 350 880
Office of Senator Lee Rhiannon | Australian Greens Senator for New South Wales

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