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Qatar Vs Qantas – the end of the Alan Joyce empire

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It’s been a bad month for Qantas, with its internal workings fully out in the open and on public display.

An ACCC investigation into whether tickets were sold for flights that had been canceled, a CEO who had no choice but to bring forward his resignation, and now a government falling over itself truing to explain why it refused to let Qatar fly more flights to Australia at a time when airfares are 30% higher than pre-Covid.

2023 will go down as bitter sweet for Qantas. Record profits for an airline usually come at a price. And right now, consumers are angry and shareholders are worried.

Qatar decision

The Australian government is under scrutiny following its decision to deny Qatar Airways additional flight slots into the country, a move that has sparked criticism from various quarters. The decision, which has been labeled as being “in the national interest,” is now the subject of a parliamentary inquiry established by the federal opposition.

In October 2022, Qatar Airways sought to expand its presence in Australia by applying for an additional 21 weekly flights on top of the 28 it already operated in major cities. The airline’s CEO, Akbar al Baker, cited Qantas as a factor in higher airfares.

In July 10, 2023, Transport Minister Catherine King rejected Qatar Airways’ bid on the same day she addressed five Australian women who were subjected to invasive strip searches at a Qatari airport in 2020. This incident, which occurred at Hamad International Airport, led to ongoing legal battles.

The rejection of Qatar Airways’ application was made public on July 19, and it was met with criticism from the Australian Airports Association, Flight Centre, opposition MPs, and the airline itself. Transport Minister King maintained that the decision was not commercial but in the national interest.

In August, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of a profitable airline industry. Outgoing Qantas CEO Alan Joyce also appeared before a Senate inquiry, highlighting the need to protect national interests in aviation.

Competitor criticism

Virgin Australia and Flight Centre criticised the decision, with Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka arguing that there was insufficient capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic, and Flight Centre’s CEO, Graham Turner, emphasizing the demand for more flights.

Former ACCC chiefs expressed concerns that the decision would hurt consumers by limiting competition, while a report suggested that the airline industry in Australia was highly concentrated.

On September 5, the opposition successfully established an inquiry into the Qatar Airways decision, which could extend its scope beyond this specific incident. The committee will report its findings in October.

On September 6, Transport Minister King revealed that she consulted with relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry and emphasized that her decision was based on the national interest, not favoring any specific company.

On September 7, Minister King defended her decision, noting that the strip search incident was a factor but not the sole reason for the rejection. She stated that Qatar Airways had lobbied more on its behalf than Qantas and rejected claims that additional flights would lower airfares.

The ongoing inquiry aims to shed light on the factors behind the government’s decision and its potential implications for the Australian aviation industry.

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Secret IMF meeting sparks US-China truce

Covert IMF meeting sparks US-China trade breakthrough with 115-point tariff cut for 90 days, marking significant progress since the Trump trade war.

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Covert IMF meeting sparks US-China trade breakthrough with 115-point tariff cut for 90 days, marking significant progress since the Trump trade war.


A covert meeting in the basement of the IMF has set off a diplomatic shockwave, leading to a major breakthrough in US-China trade talks.

Top officials from both nations have now agreed to slash tariffs by 115 points for 90 days—marking the first real progress since the Trump-era trade war began.

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Gen Z and millennials surpass boomers in voting power

Gen Z and Millennials outnumber Baby Boomers in Australian elections, signaling potential reforms in taxation and inheritance laws.

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Gen Z and Millennials outnumber Baby Boomers in Australian elections, signaling potential reforms in taxation and inheritance laws.


For the first time in history, Gen Z and Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers at the ballot box in Australia, marking a seismic change in the country’s political landscape.

Experts say this electoral milestone could spark major reform debates on taxation, superannuation, and inheritance laws as younger voters prioritise different values.

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Stocks decline as tariffs and trade tensions escalate

Stocks drop as tariffs worry investors; gold hits record high; Canada resists U.S. annexation talk.

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Stocks drop as tariffs worry investors; gold hits record high; Canada resists U.S. annexation talk.

In Short:
Stock indexes declined on Tuesday after a nine-day winning streak, while gold prices soared amid economic concerns. Major companies like Ford and Mattel adjusted forecasts due to tariff impacts, and the trade deficit hit a record high of $140.5 billion.

Stock indexes fell on Tuesday, following declines in the Dow and S&P 500 after a nine-day winning streak.

Gold prices reached a new record as markets reacted to ongoing economic concerns.

The downturn persisted following a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump, where Carney rejected any notion of Canada being for sale.

Investors showed continued apprehension about the impact of U.S. tariffs and the absence of new trade agreements, particularly as major companies like Ford and Mattel suspended annual guidance due to tariff uncertainties.

Ford impact

Ford, while less affected than competitors, estimated potential tariff impacts could reduce profits by $1.5 billion, prompting a 2.8% increase in its stock.

In contrast, Mattel’s stock rose by 2.6% after it signalled a potential increase in U.S. toy prices, anticipating a $270 million hit from tariffs, while also planning to move manufacturing from China.

Both WK Kellogg and Marriott International adjusted their financial forecasts downward due to tariff-related challenges and broader economic uncertainties.

Clorox shares fell sharply after the company updated its guidance to reflect tariff impacts.

Additionally, President Trump indicated he would announce the details regarding pharmaceutical tariffs within two weeks.

On a related note, new data revealed the trade deficit reached a record $140.5 billion in March, exceeding economists’ expectations and reflecting a surge in imports amid trade policy changes.

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