Jake Nelson

News Corp papers reported last week that Qantas frequent flyer points have dropped in value over the past 30 years, saying the same amount of points that would have bought a first-class return seat to London in 1996 will now buy a coffee machine.

State Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti has reiterated calls for the Flying Kangaroo to shift all operations to the Airport Central precinct, which handles all international flights other than Qantas. The national carrier currently uses Terminal 3 for international services, 20 minutes away by car or bus.

Transport Minister Catherine King gave the green light for the plan for one of Melbourne’s busiest general aviation airports, which covers areas such as land use, environmental and noise management, and upcoming developments.

Unions have pointed to a 2022 Australian National Audit Office report, which showed CASA’s surveillance activities declining by 31 per cent between 2017–18 and 2020–21, saying there is a “mismatch” between CASA staffing and anticipated surveillance levels.

Transport Minister Catherine King has blamed the lack of action around Sydney take-off slots on the previous Coalition government and confirmed more news will come before the release of the White Paper.

The Green Paper, weighing in at more than 200 pages, covers areas including the transition to net zero, consumer protections, competition, and aviation affordability. It is open for comment until 30 November.