PRIME Minister Tony Abbott reckons he is not going to make political capital out of a difficult and anxious day for Qantas workers.
But he says it's not the job of government to save business, it's to ensure the "fundamentals" of the economy are strong.
Mr Abbott was responding to a question from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten about what the government would do to help 5000 Qantas workers who are set to lose their jobs.
"The last thing I'm going to do today is to play politics or to try to make capital out of what is a very difficult day," he told parliament on Thursday.
"The fundamental job of government is to ensure that our economy is as strong as possible and that means getting the fundamentals right."
He said no blame should be laid on Qantas management which was "doing its best" to secure a good future for its workers.
"I am right when I say that there will be better days ahead in a stronger economy, when workers can get the jobs they need."
Mr Abbott said the government has been in regular contact with Qantas.
"There are a number of things that Qantas would like and this government is to do what it can for Qantas, consistent with responsible economic management," he said.
"That essentially means that we should ensure that Qantas can compete on a level playing field, we want to ensure that Qantas is not competing against its rivals with a ball and chain around its leg."
But he said the difficulty is what the government does for one business it has to do for others.
Despite the Mr Abbott's vow against playing politics on Qantas, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss blamed the carbon and mining taxes partly for the carrier's woes.
Mr Truss dismissed an accusation by Mr Shorten that the federal government always blamed workers.
He said the carrier had a future but aviation was changing.
Many of the jobs of the past will not be required in the future, Mr Truss said.
"It is simply beyond dispute that Qantas is faced with the difficulty of having to compete with airlines in countries where the wage structure is very different from what it is in Australia," he said.
"That's not the fault of our workers."
Mr Shorten asked Mr Abbott about speculation the government would offer Qantas support for a stand-by facility.
"What will be the implication for Qantas jobs, Qantas share price, Qantas shareholders, if that speculation does not result in action, and when will the government act to support Australia's national airline," he said.
Mr Abbott repeated the need for a "level playing field" for Qantas, a hint at a repeal of the Qantas Sale Act, which imposes foreign ownership restrictions on the carrier.
The government was determined to help Qantas but was wary of "additional assistance" sought by other airlines.
"Why should the government do for one what it's not prepared to do for all, or what is not necessarily available for all," Mr Abbott said.
To help Qantas, the opposition should support the government by agreeing to scrap the carbon tax, he said.
Mr Shorten asked Mr Abbott about ongoing speculation the government would offer Qantas support for a stand-by facility.
"What will be the implication for Qantas jobs, Qantas share price, Qantas shareholders, if that speculation does not result in action? And when will the government act to support Australia's national airline?" he asked.
Mr Abbott repeated the need for a "level playing field" for Qantas, a hint at a repeal of the Qantas Sale Act, which imposes foreign ownership restrictions on the carrier.
The government was determined to help Qantas but was wary of "additional assistance" sought by other airlines.
"Why should the government do for one what it's not prepared to do for all, or what is not necessarily available for all?" Mr Abbott asked.
To help Qantas, the opposition should support the government by agreeing to scrap the carbon tax, he said.
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