Furore over answer on Qatar saga triggers rare ‘dissent’ move during question time

The political fight over the decision to knock back a request to allow Qatar Airways to increase flights to Australia has dragged in an unlikely MP.

The fallout from the Qatar saga has dragged in the Speaker of the House after the Coalition seized a deflection from the Transport Minister during a rowdy question time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The fallout from the Qatar saga has dragged in the Speaker of the House after the Coalition seized on a deflection from the Transport Minister during a rowdy question time.

An under pressure Catherine King was asked whether she or her office had any discussion with then Qantas chief Alan Joyce before she rejected the Middle Eastern carrier’s application to increase flights to Australia.

The minister responded that her department had consulted all relevant aviation industry members and she was aware of different stakeholders’ views before making her decision.

“The main people lobbying me about Qatar came from Virgin, and a third party [came] into my office on behalf of Qatar, and the discussions I’ve had recently with Qantas have been about their concerns about our same job, same pay legislation,” Ms King said.

A furious Coalition claimed Ms King had not answered the question, and when Speaker Milton Dick ruled the minister’s answer was in order, they upped the ante by moving a rare motion of dissent against the Speaker.

A non-answer from Catherine King drew fury from the opposition. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the Transport Minister’s evasiveness had forced his hand.

“You are a decent and honourable Speaker but you have been put into the most difficult position by a minister who is trying to escape the reality,” Mr Dutton said.

“You would not be put in this position Mr Speaker that forced our hand to move dissent in your order if the minister had not been so evasive. Australians are demanding answers from this government.”

The motion was eventually defeated, 53 votes to 86.

Ms King returned to the dispatch box shortly after to argue the Coalition had a similar record when it came to Qatar.

“When the very same question was put in front of the member for Riverina (former transport minister Michael McCormack) and he said ‘I’ve made a decision to put on hold an application by Qatar Airways,’” she said.

More to come.