Labor’s decisions were ‘artificially inflating’ airline prices: Jane Hume

Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume has criticised the Albanese government for its decisions which have “artificially inflated” airline prices. The details of the federal government’s aviation white paper will be released on Monday. An aviation industry ombudsman will be introduced to enforce customer rights, including prompt refunds. “This has been a long time coming, this white paper,” Ms Hume told Sky News Australia. “Over a year ago now, both Qantas and Virgin appeared before my cost of living inquiry. “We knew that the airlines were in crisis back then, that there was a lack of competition, and that there were government decisions at that stage, particularly about Qatar and additional slots at Sydney Airport that were artificially inflating airline prices, so it’s taken a long time.”