Infrastructure is always a vexed issue. The program is full of pork barrelling, whoever is in power. Even when that’s not involved, what to build and when it should be built is often contested.

The inquiry’s report is sharply critical of Qantas, and has recommended the decision to block extra flights sought by Qatar Airways be immediately reviewed

At a crack-of-dawn news conference at Canberra airport, King suggested the 2020 incident was a factor, although “there was no one factor that influenced my decision in relation to the national interest”.