WHAT an exciting step, (The Examiner, July 19) bipartisan support has kept Qantas in Australian hands as Opposition Leader Mr Shorten said "This is how key problems get solved".
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Liberal, Labor and National working together on matters of national importance.
This is the result - foreign investors can up their stake but not hold a majority share in Qantas, 51 per cent of the airline remains in Australian hands and the headquarters of Qantas must stay on Australian soil.
Two thirds of the board must be Australian. In addition the balance of facilities, maintenance and storage must remain onshore.
This move was triggered by pressure that could result in the loss of Qantas to Australia.
It is now up to Qantas to manage its affairs effectively in order to keep faith with the Australian people.
If the same good spirit of bi- partnership can work in one issue it could be applied to others - fixing our outdated education and health systems as well as the forestry debacle.
If so, national pride in our ability to manage difficult decisions in an acceptable way would sky rocket and the outcomes would benefit us all.
- M. CAMPBELL-SMITH, Launceston.
