David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

What we are not going to do to a listed commercial entity is give them a bank cheque. We are going to give them a framework which is fair and equitable for them to work with. That is what they want.

We have observed what the previous government did with its drunken sailor mentality, writing cheques to just about everybody who put their hand up. Indeed, that is why SPC Ardmona had their application with the previous government for about eight months and nothing was done. They thought they could get a free ride! What Qantas needs is a level playing field, and you guys over there, through you Mr President, need to understand that that is what we are going to give them: nothing more, nothing less.