The Senate inquiry into the government’s decision to block Qatar Airways’ bid for extra flights in Australia could summons former Qantas boss Alan Joyce if he refuses to appear.
An inquiry into the Qatar debacle is set to kick off next week, with Qatar’s ambassador to Australia, Saad Abdulla Al-Mahmoud, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Qantas chairman Richard Goyder and CEO Vanessa Hudson, alongside a raft of regulators including the ACCC all called to give evidence.
The inquiry will also look into broader competitiveness in Australia’s aviation sector, following reports that Qantas lobbied the government to block the Qatar bid.
The national carrier’s beleaguered ex-chief was asked to front the inquiry but is understood to currently be overseas, despite having only recently resigned as CEO of Qantas.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, also the Opposition’s spokesperson for transport, told Sky News Australia that the inquiry was in talks with Mr Joyce to appear.
“It is disappointing that he is not in the country at the moment given he was supposed to be the CEO of Qantas for the next few weeks,” she said.
“But we are absolutely prepared to for those witnesses and invitees who don’t front up and face Senators from all sides of politics who have genuine and reasonable questions to ask about the competitive nature of our airline industry on behalf of Australian travellers,” she said.
Transport Minister Catherine King declined to comply with an order for production from the Senate for documents relating to her decision and has since gone on two weeks’ leave.
The leave was allegedly planned prior to the Senate inquiry being planned.
Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker broke his silence over the government’s controversial decision in an interview with CNN overnight, where he labelled the move “unfair”.
(SKY NEWS)
