Labor should review decision to block extra Qatar Airways flights to Australia, Senate inquiry says

The Albanese government should immediately review its decision to block Qatar Airways from launching extra flights to Australia, a Senate inquiry has recommended, as it called for a significantly expanded role and powers for the competition and consumer watchdog in the sector. The Senate select committee on bilateral air service agreements – set up to examine the rejection of Qatar Airways’ request to almost double its flights into Australia’s major airports – has also recommended its own extension to November so the former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce could front members upon his return to Australia, and so other Qantas representatives who provided “unsatisfactory” responses could be re-quizzed by senators. The report underscored just how politically charged the saga has become. While senators agreed on a range of recommendations aimed at stamping out anti-competitive behaviour by larger airlines, better considering consumers in government decisions, and reducing strategic cancellations at Sydney airport, Labor and Greens senators issued dissenting reports. The Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, the opposition transport spokesperson and chair of the committee, accused the Albanese government of obstructing the inquiry from accessing evidence, of gagging department officials and acting to protect Qantas.<br/>