Strip search of women 'context' for Qatar refusal: King

Catherine King says a strip search incident was one factor in her decision on Qatar Airways. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Invasive body examinations of a group of Australian women provided the "context" for the decision to deny Qatar Airways' request for extra flights.

Transport Minister Catherine King has faced intense questioning over why she rejected a bid by the airline to double the 28 weekly services it currently offers. 

Thirteen Australian women were detained at Doha's Hamad International Airport in October 2020, after a baby was found abandoned in a bathroom.

Qatari authorities were searching for the mother, before they pulled women off several flights who were then led away without explanation, and ordered to strip down so they could be examined for signs of childbirth.

Five women are taking legal action. 

Asked if the poor treatment was behind her choice, Ms King replied: "It was the context of the decision that I made."

Ms King said there was no "one factor" she would point to that swayed her decision "one way or the other". 

"In making this decision I did have a national interest, not commercial interests, at play when I was making that decision," she said.

In July, Ms King denied the incident was the reason the airline's request for greater access was rejected.

The transport minister confirmed she had consulted with ministerial colleagues and considered stakeholder views.

Ms King said she made her decision on July 10, and told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before it was made public on July 18.

Repeatedly questioned in parliament about the specific date Mr Albanese was informed, the transport minister would not confirm it.

"I informed the prime minister prior to my decision being made public, and normally these decisions are not made public," Ms King said.

"For context, my office had received multiple media requests about the women."

Asked if he had confidence in the transport minister, Mr Albanese, who is in Indonesia, replied: "Of course I do."

Trade Minister Don Farrell said he couldn't "specifically" say if he had a conversation with the minister.

The coalition has accused the government of protecting Qantas from competition by denying Qatar Airway's application for extra flights into Australian international airports.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the government was not giving transparent answers, and he attempted to have the lower house express concern at the "sweetheart deal" with Qantas.

"The minister for transport ... has failed to give any clear or consistent explanation for this decision, has offered up to nine different explanations," he said.

A Senate committee looking into the decision is expected to invite submissions from past and present Qantas chief executives, other airlines, airports, economists, the Qatari ambassador, the consumer watchdog and the Productivity Commission. 

Mr Dutton said there was a moral imperative for former Qantas boss Alan Joyce to front the inquiry, which will report by October.

The government has resisted calls for the decision to be reviewed.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store