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CANBERRA - Qantas says if a bill designed to protect Jetstar is passed by parliament the airline will have to stop its New Zealand and Pacific operations.
Qantas general counsel Brett Johnson said a bill proposed by Family First senator Stephen Fielding would have unintended consequences on subsidiaries of the airline.
"If enacted, this (bill) runs the real risk of forcing Qantas to materially change its current operation," Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson made the comments at the opening of a parliamentary inquiry into how the airline's proposed sale would affect Jetstar.
"For example, Qantas has a wholly owned New Zealand incorporated subsidiary, Jet Connect Limited which operates scheduled international air transport services as it operates 737 services on the Tasman and in domestic New Zealand on behalf of Qantas.
"The bill, if enacted would require Qantas to cease this operation."
The bill is called the Qantas Sale (Keep Jetstar Australia) Amendment Bill.
- AAP
