Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

(1) That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2014:

The Committee must consider what initiatives can be taken by Government to ensure Qantas remains a strong national carrier supporting aviation jobs in Australia, including:

(a) a debt guarantee;

(b) an equity stake; and

(c) other forms of support consistent with wider policy settings.

(2) That, in conducting the inquiry, the committee should consider:

(a) any national security, skills, marketing, tourism, emergency assistance or other benefits provided by a majority Australian owned Qantas;

(b) the level and forms of government support received by other international airlines operating to and from Australia;

(c) the ownership structures of other international airlines operating to and from Australia;

(d) the potential impact on Australian jobs arising from the Government's plan to repeal Part 3 of the Qantas Sale Act 1992; and

(e) any related matter.

Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, firstly, a point of clarification: I understood this was going to be moved in the names of three senators—Senator Xenophon's, Senator Sterle's and mine. Can I get clarification on that, please?

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I cannot clarify that for you; I do not know. I look to Senator Sterle as the mover.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, absolutely—there is no doubt on that.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That has been clarified.

Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. This inquiry is indeed needed. This is really where we see the Senate coming into its own. This inquiry should be precisely what the government itself is doing, rather than just pushing Qantas in the direction of foreign ownership where it becomes a has-been airline at the end of its days. This inquiry is the opportunity to have a wide investigation into the options of the government possibly taking an equity stake or a debt guarantee. These are the things we need to explore so we can ensure that Qantas is retained as a strong national carrier and that jobs are maintained onshore. This is the critical work that this inquiry has been set up to achieve, and it is very pleasing that we have been able to come together and finalise the terms of reference for it.

Question agreed to.