Don't expect a bail-out, Vaile tells Qantas
4:00 PM February 14
Federal Transport Minister Mark Vaile has issued a warning to Qantas that the Government does not endorse airlines seeking taxpayer funded bail-outs.
Former transport minister John Anderson says he has deep reservations about the high debt level involved in the proposed $11 billion Qantas takeover.
Mr Vaile says it is not up to the Federal Government to decide debt arrangements for private companies but Qantas would carry a much higher level of debt under the proposed deal.
"As we've seen in international experience in the past where, and in our neighbourhood, where airlines have run into trouble, they often do come knocking on the Government's door and that is not something that we would like to countenance," he said.
Source: ABC