The Senate has passed a motion by Australian Greens spokesperson for Transport Senator Lee Rhiannon, noting the benefits of a majority Australian-owned Qantas and calling on the government to seriously consider investing in the airline.
“After Holden’s announcement yesterday, it has become even more important for the government to step in and protect Australian jobs,” Senator Rhiannon said.
“Qantas management are escalating the issue by putting the jobs of thousands of their workers on the line.
“We don’t support Alan Joyce’s preferred option of deregulating Qantas to allow higher levels of foreign ownership – The Australian Greens have a strong commitment to a majority Australian-owned national airline.
“Rather than seeing foreign government owned carriers such as China South and Emirates buy up Qantas, we are calling on the Australian government to invest in Qantas to protect local jobs, shore up the local industry and ensure Australia has a competitive and sustainable national airline.
“The Senate today has supported our motion recognising the importance of an Australian owned Qantas and is calling on its government to seriously consider investing in the airline,” Senator Rhiannon said.
The text of the motion passed by the Senate can be found below:
Senator Rhiannon
1. The Senate notes:
a) The significant benefit that a majority Australian owned Qantas brings to national security, manufacturing and tourism jobs and the wider economy.
2. The Senate calls on the Government to:
a) Seriously consider investing in QANTAS as a signal of its importance to the national economy.
