The current request for a Senate Inquiry, this week, I respect entirely and I agree completely with the sentiment. However, I feel it will split the resources and the focus of the Foreign Investment Review Board inquiry which is the only inquiry that can stop the current sale process of Qantas.

The reality of the vote, even if I support it, will most likely be tied. A tied vote is a lost vote so there would be no real chance of even the getting the Senate Inquiry up.

However, at the end of Feb, in the last sitting week, the FIRB inquiry will have been allowed the majority of time for its deliberations. If it is apparent that the situation remains the same as to the weakness of intentions, as opposed to guarantees of the vital national interests that Qantas obviously holds, then the possibility of a successful vote on a Senate Inquiry will be much more likely.

In summary, there's not much sense voting for something right now that promises only one thing – failure.