I found these last paragraphs interesting:
The ACCC chairman, Graeme Samuel, this afternoon told ABC Radio that the main purpose of the Virgin Blue-Air NZ deal was to remove price competition between the two carriers. This is the same effect of course that will be achieved by Virgin Blue quitting the market, and leaving Air NZ out muscled by Qantas and Jetstar. The proposed deal would make it less likely that Qantas and Jetstar could dominate the trans Tasman market by their being countered by Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand.
Disapproving the deal means, perversely, the approving of a lessening of sustained competition on the routes, which is of significant benefit to Qantas, which would, as a consequence of the DoT ruling, also become entrenched as the only US or Australian carrier allowed to have a domestic feed for its trans Pacific flights at the Australian and US ends, the latter through its American Airlines deal.
Samuel is believed to remain an invited guest of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge club rooms. He was asked this morning if it was appropriate that he continue to enjoy the benefits of that exclusive club and its hospitality at a time when he is making decisions that affect Qantas and its main Australian competitor.
The question has been ignored, twice. Samuel is a man of integrity, and can be expected to resign from the Chairman’s Lounge.