Consequences of the government’s decision to block extra flights from Qatar Airways extend beyond travellers and airfares.

Hearings continue in Perth on Friday for a Senate inquiry on Australia’s bilateral air services agreements.

It has received submissions from WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington, who says impacts on the agriculture industry of rejecting the flights have been lost in the focus on tourism and competition.

Qatar spent $135 million on chilled Australian beef and boxed sheep, making it the third largest market in the Middle East and North Africa for the exports.

Throttling airline capacity prevents the sector from expanding and the failure to return flights to pre-COVID levels has already hurt exports.

“Any move to restrict flights to Doha should be carefully scrutinised,” Mr Whittington’s said in his submission.

With the government committing to ban live exports, passenger flights are the only cost-effective solution for export as dedicated air cargo planes would be too expensive.

Broome International Airport CEO Craig Shaw has also made a submission, calling on governments to better use the country’s secondary airports to improve prosperity in the regions.

The committee’s chair Bridget McKenzie has criticised Transport Minister Catherine King’s decision to reject Qatar Airways’ bid to double the 28 weekly services it offers in Australia, after it was revealed Qantas had lobbied against the flights.

Though Ms King has claimed the decision was made in the national interest, she has not elaborated on the reasons.

This has led the opposition to accuse the government of having a cosy relationship with Qantas.

The Australian carrier has faced a whirlwind of PR disasters marked by a Senate grilling on its $2.47 billion profit during a cost-of-living crisis, a potential $250 million fine from the consumer watchdog for flight cancellations, and a major High Court loss which found the airline had illegally sacked 1600 workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the Perth proceedings wrap up, the committee will hold another two public hearings in Brisbane and Canberra.

The inquiry is due to report by October 9.

– AAP