If the federal government can throw hundreds of millions of dollars to the US based car industry that operates in this country, then why can't they throw a hundred or so mill at Qantas to build a heavy maintenance hangar capable of housing everything up to an A380?
The open skies policy that previous governments endorsed has allowed the nations once great flag carrier to be eaten away by the likes of SQ and EK, so in return, build them a big hangar so they have no excuse for sending work overseas and then throw in a few tax breaks for training apprentices and building the industry up again.
They might even want to build Virgin a 777 hangar as well. Two world class facilities would be better than one.
I think this would get the unions off their backs, prove management are a pack of fools and maybe even earn a few extra bucks.
If the germans can build a big hangar in Frankfurt and charge Euro rates, then surely we can charge aussie dollars and still be competitive.