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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Business
Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporter

Minister linked Qatar Airways decision to treatment of Australian women at Doha airport, FoI reveals

Five Australian women suing Qatar were told the airline’s request was being knocked back at the same time as the the Qatari government was informed.
Five Australian women suing Qatar were told the airline’s request was being knocked back at the same time as the Qatari government was informed. Photograph: Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

The coordinated timing of two key letters sent by the federal government about its decision to block extra flights for Qatar Airways, released under freedom of information, raise fresh questions about the role an incident at Doha airport played in the rejection.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) was consulted over a letter that the transport minister, Catherine King, was preparing to send to five Australian women suing Qatar Airways, telling them the airline’s push for more flights had been rejected, FoI documents reveal.

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