Australia’s acting PM not consulted over Qatar Airways’ bid block

The Australian transport minister's decision to block Qatar Airways' request to operate more flights into Australia has come under fire [Edgar Su/Reuters]

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has said he was not consulted when the country’s transport minister decided to block Qatar Airways’ request to operate additional flights into the country.

In July, Australia’s Transport Minister Catherine King formally rejected a bid from Qatar Airways to add flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, saying that the proposal was not in Australia’s interests.