On 6 March 2014, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2014.
- The Committee must consider what initiatives can be taken by Government to ensure Qantas remains a strong national carrier supporting aviation jobs in Australia, including:
- a debt guarantee;
- an equity stake; and
- other forms of support consistent with wider policy settings.
- That, in conducting the inquiry, the committee should consider:
- any national security, skills, marketing, tourism, emergency assistance or other benefits provided by a majority Australian-owned Qantas;
- the level and forms of government support received by other international airlines operating to and from Australia;
- the ownership structures of other international airlines operating to and from Australia;
- the potential impact on Australian jobs arising from the Government's plan to repeal Part 3 of the Qantas Sale Act 1992; and
- any related matter.