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However, the Australian government has “formally registered serious concerns” about the incident with Qatari authorities, a spokesman said.
“The Australian government is deeply concerned about the unacceptable treatment of some female passengers on a recent Qatar Airways flight at Doha airport,” he said.
“Reports indicate that the treatment of the women in question was offensive, extremely inappropriate and beyond the circumstances in which women could give their free and informed consent.
“The Government has formally registered our serious concerns about this incident with the Qatari authorities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is involved in this matter through diplomatic channels.”
Shadow Resources Minister Joel Fitzgibbons went further Monday, telling the 7 News Sunrise breakfast show that the allegation “effectively amounts to state-sanctioned sexual assault.”
“As a parent, my first thought was if it was one of my daughters,” he said. “We should all be very concerned and the government here in Australia should be more robust in its response.”
