The Australian Government has decided to protect Qantas from competition by continuing to shut Singapore Airlines out of the on the lucrative US route. The is the same Government which has approved greater competition by Australia Post against small business newsagents.
So, while one Government minister lectures newsagents about the importance of competition for the economy (and the government’s shareholding in Australia Post) another government minister is extolling the virtues of blocking competition in the skies.
My newsagency is directly opposite a government owned Australia Post outlet. Their range of stationery continues to grow – especially the products they import from China and brand as Australia Post products. I’m told this is good because it keeps my business on its toes.
The reality is that my business and the businesses of my colleague newsagents are not as well connected with Prime Minister Howard as Margaret Jackson and the team at Qantas.