Claire Chandler Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:55 pm
My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. I refer the minister to comments made last week by the minister for transport, Catherine King, when she said, regarding the government's rejection of Qatar Airways, 'I consulted colleagues prior to the decision but the decision was mine.' Earlier that day you yourself, Minister, remarked on ABC RN's Breakfast:
We've been pushing the expansion of flights with a whole range of countries at the moment.
… … …
… I can't say that I specifically had a conversation with her, but I'm aware that her department made it clear that they were … dealing with this issue and going to make a decision about it.
Can you confirm that, despite Minister King's claims she consulted with colleagues, you as this country's Minister for Trade and Tourism were not consulted prior to her making a decision? On what date did you learn that she had made the decision?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:56 pm
I thank Senator Chandler for her question. You're correct, I was asked about this issue on Radio National last week, by that very good journalist Patricia Karvelas. Who wanted—
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Shout-out, PK!
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Yes, shout-out to her. She asked me that very same question, President, and this is the answer I gave:
Look, I can't say that I specifically had a conversation with her, but I'm aware that her department made it clear that they were, you know, dealing with this issue and going to make a decision about it.
I note that Minister King was in fact asked this question in question time in the other place today. She said very clearly, 'I consulted with relevant colleagues as to the normal proper process.' But can I make it very clear—
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
He consulted, Don.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Senator McKenzie, it was Minister McCormack who made the very, very same decision that Minister King has made. This is what Minister King said, 'Can I make it very, very clear yet again that the decision'—
Simon Birmingham SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
A point of order on direct relevance: the minister has already killed a lot of the time by repeating the same quotes that Senator Chandler had in her question. The question was: was he consulted? Does he have any knowledge of whether in fact somebody had a conversation with him or not?
Sue Lines President
Senator Birmingham, the minister was referring to the first part of the question. I will draw the minister to the second part of the question.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I made my position very clear on Radio National. I said:
… I can't say that I specifically had a conversation with her, but I'm aware that her department made it clear—
(Time expired)
Claire Chandler Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:58 pm
Minister, have you received any advice from your department regarding increasing flight capacity from other countries into Australia? If so, was Qatar one of those countries?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:59 pm
This government routinely has discussions with other countries and other players in the aviation sector. I, myself, launched the first Vietjet Air flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Brisbane and, of course, there are flights now from Ho Chi Minh into Perth. I also can report that, subsequent to us getting a ban lifted on route travel from China into Australia, we've now got China Southern flying into Australia. Singapore Airlines, another—
The:
Minister, please resume your seat.
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
What about Qatar? What are you hiding?
Sue Lines President
Senator McKenzie, I've called you over and over. I've got Senator Chandler on her feet. Senator Chandler, are you now going to a second supplementary?
Claire Chandler Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
3:00 pm
I am, President. Can you confirm for the record, Minister, that you and your department in fact recommended to the minister for transport that she grant the Qatar request to help deliver more flights, more seats, more freight capacity and cheaper airfares?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I can confirm, Senator Chandler, that this government is serious about repairing all of the damage that you lot did to the tourism sector in the two or three years—
Sue Lines President
Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Chandler?
Claire Chandler Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
I have a point of order, President, on relevance. My question did not make any reference to the previous government. It was very specifically about the advice provided from the department.
Sue Lines President
Senator Chandler, I'm going to remind the minister of your question. Minister, can you get to Senator Chandler's question?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Thank you, President. Unlike the way you treated the tourism industry in this country, we have started the process of rebuilding tourism in this country and bit by bit—
Opposit ion senators interjecting—
I don't know why you want to keep talking the tourism industry down—unless your strategies while in government were part of a general strategy to undermine the tourism industry. We don't want it undermined. We want to rebuild the tourism industry that you sought to destroy. (Time expired)
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I ask that further questions be placed on notice.