Letter at the centre of Catherine King’s Qatar Airways’ decision

Confusion over why the federal government denied Qatar Airways’ more flights has now come down to a letter. What did it say?

Qatar Airways is at the centre of a political storm.

A letter sent to Transport Minister Catherine King by five women subjected to horrific internal examinations in Doha in October 2020, appears to have cost Qatar Airways additional flights into Australia.

On Thursday, Ms King indicated the women’s treatment did in fact shape her decision on further air rights for Qatar Airways, which has led to an outcry from the tourism and travel industry, airports and exporters.

The letter sent by the women who are now taking legal action against Qatar, detailed how they were waiting to takeoff from Doha on a flight to Sydney on October 2, 2020 when armed guards forced them off the plane without explanation.

“Still under armed guard most of us were forced to have bodily and vaginal examinations without consent,” said the letter.

“Some of us were threatened that if we did not co-operate we would not be allowed back on the plane. At no stage was any explanation given as to why we were being forced off the plane.”

They explained how letters of complaint to Qatar Airways about their treatment were met with silence, prompting legal action in the Federal Court, and with the Australian National Contact

Point for Responsible Business Conduct under the OECD guidelines.

“We gather from media reports that Qatar Airways is requesting more landing rights at Australian airports. It is our strong belief Qatar Airways is not fit to carry passengers around the globe let alone to major Australian airports,” said the letter.

“Qatar Airways allowed and directed us to be taken off the flight including one of us who was with our four-month-old child at the time, and one of us who is legally blind and in her 70s. We were kept hostage at gunpoint and most of us were then examined vaginally without consent.”

Ms King replied to the letter two weeks later, on July 10, informing the women the government “was not considering additional bilateral air rights with Qatar”.

At the time, the Minister was yet to inform the Prime Minister of her decision.

Anthony Albanese said he was not aware of the decision when he spoke to Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka on July 13, in which she advocated in favour of the Qatar flights.

The women are due to return to the Federal Court on Friday, in what will be the 21st hearing in the matter.

Their lawyer, Damien Sturzaker of Marque Lawyers, is trying to obtain records from the medical centre that provided the nurses who conducted the unauthorised internal examinations.

In November, the court is due to hear a “strike out” motion by Qatar Airways, seeking to have the case dismissed on the basis it does not properly align with the Montreal Convention.