With her predecessor Alan Joyce unavailable due to “personal obligations” overseas, new Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson got her welcome to political first grade yesterday… She and the airline’s embattled chair Richard Goyder fronted a Senate inquiry into the Albanese Government’s rejection of Qatar Airways’ bid to increase its flights to Oz. Hudson said the industry “should be given the chance to recover” from the pandemic, but other airlines, the airports and competition experts say the government’s close relationship with the national carrier has led to the edging out of competitors and travellers paying higher prices. For his part, Goyder (who is also heading into a big weekend as chair of the AFL Commission) isn’t heeding calls for him to resign. He says it’s up to Qantas’ board and shareholders. Get ready for that to bubble over into their AGM in November…