Qatar Airways Gains Approval for 25% Stake in Virgin Australia

The deal, approved by the Treasurer, includes conditions to enhance Australian aviation jobs and services.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers approved Qatar Airways' acquisition of a 25% stake in Virgin Australia following advice from the Foreign Investment Review Board.
The deal includes legally enforceable conditions such as Australian representation on Virgin's board and long-haul training for Australian pilots and cabin crews in Doha.
The investment aims to increase Virgin Australia's capacity on international routes and provide a pathway for the airline to operate its own long-haul flights.
Private health insurance premiums in Australia will rise by an average of 3.73% starting in April after negotiations led by Health Minister Mark Butler.
The government emphasized that the premium increase is lower than insurers' initial requests and highlighted a broader bulk-billing incentive for Medicare recipients.