Treasurer was fine with ACCC airline monitoring extension
The Treasurer’s office raised no objection to extending the competition watchdog’s monitoring of price gouging by airlines, but said Transport Minister Catherine King would need to determine it is a priority.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s monitoring mandate was put in place during the pandemic when Virgin Australia entered administration but expired on June 30.
Ahead of the expiry, the Australian Airports Association’s head of policy and advocacy, Merrick Peisley, wrote to Treasury on April 13 seeking formally to push for an extension to the regime and said it would “undertake further media and advocacy” on the issue.
The Australian Airports Association’s chief executive, James Goodwin, left, and head of policy and advocacy, Merrick Peisley. Alex Ellinghausen
In documents filed in response to questions on notice tabled as part of a Senate inquiry, a member of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ office, Ruth Moore, replied: “While noting the ACCC has a lot to manage, we have no in-principle objection to an extension, providing it is a priority of Minister King.”
Catherine King’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
The transport minister has been under scrutiny for her decision to block an extra 28 weekly international flights by Qatar Airways, amid accusations the government has benefited rival airline, and Australia’s largest carrier, Qantas.
The Senate committee probing Ms King’s decision last week heard evidence that airlines including Virgin Australia, Regional Express and Bonza had no objection to the competition watchdog continuing its monitoring. However, Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson and chairman Richard Goyder said they opposed the move.
Both Mr Goyder and Ms Hudson
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