Fact:
The socialists decided to sell 49% of Qantas. Even allowing 25% foreign participation, nobody wanted in.
Keating therefore woke up one morning in '92 and hit upon the bright idea of bundling TAA/ Australian to sweeten the deal.
Suddenly there were buyers.
Opinion:
No buyers initially because Q was, and is, an ageing klunker, living on public money.
Australian provided the cash flow and had a dynamic and financially successful ethos.
Australian joining Qantas killed that.
After a time Australian became like Qantas- fat, arrogant, big- headed and 'we are the world's best'.
Ha
The ultimate insult- Australian staff having to wear Qantas uniforms.