DFAT was not consulted on Qatar Airways decision
As a Senate inquiry prepares to quiz DFAT officials on the Qatar Airways decision, a search by the department has revealed it was not consulted on the move.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King did not seek advice from Australia’s foreign service before deciding to block Qatar Airways from launching extra flights to Australia, according to the department's records.
Despite using the airline’s invasive search of Australian women as part of her justification for the decision, Capital Brief can reveal that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade cannot find any record of advice being provided to King’s office or her department in the three months leading up to her decision.
There is also no record of Trade Minister Don Farrell requesting advice from DFAT on the trade implications of the application.
The Albanese government has been criticised by aviation experts, economists and the federal opposition over King’s decision on 10 July to reject the airline’s application for 28 additional weekly flights to Australia.
