Treasurer Jim Chalmers has rejected claims the federal government had done a 'sweetheart deal' for Qantas in a fiery interview on the Today show.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has rejected claims the federal government had done a"sweetheart deal" for Qantas in a fiery interview on the Today show.
Stefanovic referred to an earlier interview with Simon Harrison, chairman of the Australia Qatar Business Council, who agreed current evidence is"showing everything along those lines" of a"sweetheart deal" between the government and Qantas. "I don't see how she couldn't have known about this decision with Qatar. They've been in discussions with the government for quite some time," he said. Today co-host Sarah Abo then doubled down on the assertion it was a"sweetheart deal" in Australia, to which Mr Harrison replied:"It's showing everything along those lines at the moment, yes."
The Treasurer appeared on the Today show shortly after, denying a"sweetheart deal" had taken place as the government continues to defend its decision to block a Qatar Airways expansion. "Our predecessors took a similar decision, we have taken a decision like this. Capacity's actually expanding in our aviation sector," he said.
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