Govt in political game of chicken with Virgin

The government is playing a high “political risk” game of chicken with Virgin, according to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. Virgin Australia on Tuesday entered voluntary administration, putting 16,000 jobs and Australia’s two airline aviation system at risk. The government previously rejected a $1.4 billion bailout proposal and on Monday evening knocked back a request for a $100 million grant to keep the company afloat for an additional couple of weeks. Mr Clennell said the government was taking a gamble on the airline. “It does seem a bit of a trend for the government to want to do more for small and medium businesses than for big business. “I don’t know how it will be received if there is no buyer. If there ends up being a buyer down the track then its all good. The government will be proven to do the right thing. "They might have some political concerns around it if the thing just goes under completely." Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au