Labor states want federal government to reverse Qatar Airways decision

Queensland and South Australia’s Labor governments want the Albanese government to reverse a decision to block Qatar Airways’ bid to almost double its Australian services.

Peter Dutton has blasted the government’s Qatar decision on Sunday, calling it ‘unconscionable’. Picture: AFP

Queensland and South Australian Labor governments want the ­Albanese government to reverse its decision to block Qatar Airways’ bid to almost double its flights in and out of Australia, which Peter Dutton has called a “sweetheart deal” for Qantas.

The move follows weeks of questions over the relationship ­between the national carrier and the federal government and a fresh challenge by the Australian Consumer & Competition Commission over allegations Qantas sold tickets for 8000 cancelled flights.

Acting Queensland Premier Steven Miles said on Sunday that the state government wanted “to see as many flights into Queensland as we possibly can”.

“The additional flights, additional capacity, would create supply which drives down prices, makes fares more affordable.”

Mr Miles said Qatar Airways’ bid was a decision for the Albanese government but “if it was up to us, they would be approved”.

A South Australian government spokesman said it “believes more flights and more international airlines flying in and out of Adelaide will drive down prices, making it more affordable for South Australians to travel and encourage more international visitors”.

The spokesman also said Qatar Airways was a “valued partner to the state” and urged Qantas to reinstate international flights from Adelaide Airport.

“We appreciate Qatar Airways’ commitment to South Australia since it started flying to Adelaide in 2016, in particular during Covid when Qatar played a unique and vital role in ­repatriating South Australians and transporting tonnes of cargo to maintain supply chains for South Australian agriculture exporters,” the spokesperson said.

“Qatar has serviced South Australians far more than many other international airlines.

“We also urge Qantas to ­reinstate international flights to and from Adelaide … since it cancelled its direct Adelaide-to-Singapore flights in 2013.”

There is mounting pressure on the national carrier and the government after its decision to reject Qatar Airways’ bid to protect ­“national interest”.

Flight Centre took out a full-page advertisement at the weekend in a range of newspapers including The Weekend Australian, which read, “more seats drive down prices: let ‘em fly”.

Mr Miles said the Queensland government “shared the sentiment of Flight Centre”.

Flight Centre chief executive Graham Turner on Sunday told The Australian the company had a “duty to the Australian public … to try to help make the level of airfares more competitive”.

“We’re aiming to convince the government … to reverse this decision on Qatar for a start, and for _future applications – to consider favourably as airlines want to come back to Australia.”

Labor national president Wayne Swan last week backed an “appropriate review” of the government’s decision. A Victorian government spokesperson said it was “a matter for the federal government”. NSW Premier Chris Minns’ office did not comment.

Peter Dutton blasted the government’s Qatar decision on Sunday, calling it “unconscionable”.

“I think a lot of Australians want the best for Qantas because it’s an iconic brand, but when you see the outcome, the decision of the government to stop Qatar coming in to compete against Qantas – a decision made by the Prime Minister – it means that people; travellers, Australians, who want to go and see family or go for a holiday overseas are literally paying thousands of dollars more for their airline ticket and I think that’s unconscionable,” the Opposition Leader told Sky News.

“I think Qantas has tarnished its brand.”