Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

This is a very serious subject and it deserves to be taken extremely seriously by this parliament. This government is determined to ensure that, as far as reasonably possible, there is a level playing field for competition and that Qantas is not competing against its fierce rivals with a ball and chain around its legs. That is what we are determined to ensure. We know that Qantas would like some further additional assistance. The difficulty with that request is this. Why should the government do for one what it is not prepared to do for all? That is the issue. We are determined to help Qantas. We will help Qantas by establishing a level playing field and we will help Qantas by cutting its costs—

Mr Watts interjecting—

See this speech in context