Recommendations

Recommendation 1

4.27The committee recommends that the Australian Government immediately review its decision not to increase capacity under Australia's bilateral air services agreement with Qatar.

Recommendation 2

4.40The committee recommends that when making decisions relating to bilateral air service agreements, the Australian Government have regard to a cost benefit analysis, consult widely with key stakeholders including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and publish a statement of reasons for decisions taken.

Recommendation 3

4.48The committee recommends that the Australian Government review reform options to strengthen competition in the domestic aviation industry, including potential divestiture powers to remedy any misuse of market power.

Recommendation 4

4.51The committee recommends that in order to reinstate monitoring of the airline industry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Senate urgently pass the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Continuing ACCC Monitoring of Domestic Airline Competition) Bill 2023.

Recommendation 5

4.54The committee recommends that the Australian Government direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Committee to conduct an inquiry into potential anti-competitive behaviour in the domestic aviation market.

Recommendation 6

4.65The committee recommends that the Australian Government develop and implement consumer protection reforms as soon as reasonably practicable to address significant delays, cancellations, lost baggage and devaluation of loyalty programs.

Recommendation 7

4.71The committee recommends that the Australian Government urgently respond to the Review of the Sydney Airport Demand Management Scheme including the Mr Peter Harris AO recommendations to improve airport slot management and strengthen the 'use it or lose it' rule.

Recommendation 8

4.76The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider introducing limited cabotage for foreign airlines to regional airports.

Recommendation 9

4.85The committee recommends that the Senate adopt the following resolution:

That—

(a) the Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements, appointed by resolution of the Senate on 5 September 2023, as amended on 7 September 2023, be reappointed on the same terms, except as otherwise provided by this resolution, so that the committee may:

(i) receive evidence at a public hearing from:

(1) witnesses who were unavailable prior to the committee's original reporting date, including MrAlanJoyce AC;

(2) government affairs representatives from Qantas, noting that Qantas' answers to questions on notice from senators were unsatisfactory,

(ii) report on any matters arising relevant to the committee's terms of reference; and

(b) the committee or any subcommittee have the power to consider and make use of the evidence and records of the select committee appointed on 5September2023;

(c) senators who were members or participating members of the previous select committee are appointed to the new committee; and

(d) the committee report by 29 November 2023.

Recommendation 10

4.92The committee recommends that the Senate request the House of Representatives to require the attendance of the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, theHonCatherineKingMP, before the re-established Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements to provide public evidence.