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Oppn voices concern over Qantas ownership proposals

Posted December 2, 2008 19:01:00

The aviation green paper recommended 51 per cent Australian ownership be maintained. (ABC News: Giulio Saggin, file photo)

The Federal Opposition is concerned by Government moves to relax ownership restrictions on Qantas.

The Government's aviation green paper released today proposes lifting the 25 per cent limit on individual foreign ownership and the 35 per cent limit on ownership by a foreign airline.

But it does recommend maintaining the 51 per cent Australian ownership provision for the national carrier.

Opposition transport spokesman Warren Truss says the proposal would see Australia lose effective control of the airline.

"I would have some concern if a foreign airline was able to own 49 per cent of the company and the other 51 per cent effectively held by thousands of shareholders, including many mums, dads and kids," he said.

"You'd need a lot less than 49 per cent in one hand to have effective control of the airline."

Tags: business-regulation, government-and-politics, federal-government, air-transport, australia