Senator Xenophon’s proposed amendments to the Air Navigation Act would cause serious damage to the nation’s aviation access with Asia, our tourism hubs, hundreds of small businesses and the jobs of thousands of Australians, ATEC Managing Director, Felicia Mariani said today.

“This bill is an unfair and a direct assault on Qantas’ capacity to be competitive in the Asian market,” Ms Mariani said.

“Aviation is a tough, competitive business and Qantas needs to stay ahead of the game.  Introducing significant limitations on how the airline operates and its capacity to be productive and viable could drive it into the ground, and many local tourism businesses with it.

“Qantas provides a critical link not only across Australia, but in connecting us to the burgeoning markets of Asia and the tourism industry cannot afford to have this opportunity destroyed by Mr Xenophon’s amendments.”

Ms Mariani said if Qantas was forced to amend its wages and conditions for international crews, important tourism destinations such as Cairns and Darwin would lose access to the Asian market, the very lifeblood of two destinations suffering under the current pressure of the high Australian dollar and unprecedented outbound travel by Australians

“It is very clear that Qantas can’t afford to operate the Cairns-Darwin-Singapore route if these amendments are introduced and they plan to withdraw if the amendments go ahead.  With more than 300,000 international arrivals at Cairns airport each year, this would be a significant blow to the local tourism economy and those destinations that link to it.

“Aviation is the lifeblood of the Australian tourism industry and ATEC is very concerned by Senator Xenophon’s narrow sighted view of Qantas’ role in our community.  Qantas is a instrumental player in the success of Australia’s tourism industry now and into the future.”

Ms Mariani said Qantas played a crucial role in Australia’s tourism sector, not only in providing our most comprehensive aviation network, but by supporting the growth and development of the industry through its partnerships with organisations such as ATEC.

“These proposed amendments deliver yet another threat to our tourism industry, dominated by SME’s and employing more than half a million Australians – there is much more to be considered here than wages paid to Qantas’ international cabin crew.

“The tourism industry is on a positive path to engaging and growing the lucrative Asian tourism market and we need all the support we can get from Government and the policies they employ.  The amendments being sought by Senator Xenophon are a direct attack on Australia’s tourism industry and the local, regional and rural communities they economically support.