As AJ's friends in Canberra head home for their holidays, Tony says:
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has suggested he could support lifting foreign ownership restrictions on Qantas to put it on a level playing field.
Qantas says strict foreign ownership rules are making it hard to compete with Virgin and there are a number of ways the Government could help it.
Mr Abbott has ruled out providing subsidies to the airline and says the Government will not guarantee the airline's debt.
But he has told the Financial Review that it was not an "unreasonable" request by Qantas to have the Qantas Sale Act lifted.
Shares in the airline hit a record low last week, shortly after the airline's credit rating was downgraded to "junk" status by global ratings agency Standard and Poor's following a $300 million half-year loss.
The news of the downgrade came amid a $2 billion restructuring by Qantas, which insists it remains in a strong financial position due to its large cash balance and asset base.
In December, the company announced plans to axe about 1,000 jobs over the next 12 months.
Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen said this week the Federal Government must consider all available options to help Qantas, including taking a small stake in the airline.
Tony Abbott says ditching Qantas Sale Act restriction on foreign ownership not 'unreasonable' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
And to stir AJ, Virgin says, pick me:
Virgin says call us, not Qantas, in times of crisis