Virgin is 90 per cent foreign owned but still asks Australia to 'throw it a bone' скачать в хорошем качестве

Virgin is 90 per cent foreign owned but still asks Australia to 'throw it a bone'

Broadcaster Michael McLaren says he struggles with the idea of Australian taxpayers “stumping up close to $1.4 billion for an airline that’s 90 per cent foreign owned,” as Virgin requests federal and state funding to stay afloat. Mr McLaren said although the airline is called Virgin Australia “it’s major shareholders are Etihad and Singapore airlines, a couple of Chinese conglomerates, and the British billionaire Sir Richard Branson". “In fact, only 10 per cent of Virgin is listed on the ASX,” he said. The Queensland government handed Virgin Australia a $200 million boost, while the NSW government are in negotiations with the airline, but it will still fall considerably short of the desired $1.4 billion. “If the government of Abu Dhabi (which owns Etihad) and the government of Singapore aren't willing to throw Virgin a bone, many would be justified in asking why should the government of Australia?”. Image: News Corp Australia