A group of liberal politicians went to Canberra for a meeting in the room of the Party on Net Zero Remissions Policies discovered in Adelaide after the smoke was detected on the flight.
Senators Leah Blyth and Andrew McLachlan, as well as the Lower House MP Philippines, from the Creallink Flight in the Cabin, from Creeleide when the crew caught smoke in Adelaide and will issue a call for help.
The pilot requested a priority landing and gave a call for help. The plane was over St Vincent Gulf at the time of the incident.
Blyth told Adelaide Radio Fanaa he had “an interesting start to the morning” and that he was “happy to be safe on the ground”.
“It’s not scary,” he said. “It’s strange, but obviously, we fly a lot like politicians. I don’t have a cabin to fill with smoke like before.
“Hats off to the Qantas staff who were cool, calm and collected and made it back to the ground safely.
Noted the importance of the specially scheduled meeting in Canberra – where the liberal MPS will decide whether to stop the nets on the arrival of those who flow to the nationals when the group arrives in Canberra.
“We joke, saying the net zero debate has gone up in smoke,” he told the Adelaide Advertiser.
The meeting was a test for the leader of the opposition, Sussan Ley, and her efforts to unite the factions of the liberal party.
Blyth and Pinas are among the MPS eager to drop to NET ZERO by 2050, while McLachlan is part of a modest practical commitment on environmental grounds.
The flight left adelaide at 6.10am local time but should return about 10 minutes after take off. Engineers inspect planes, and passengers booked on new flights.
Qantas said smoke was visible on the flight deck after takeoff, prompting the captain to request a priority landing.
“One of our Adelaide to Canberra flights returned to Adelaide shortly after this morning’s layoff, after reporting a technical issue,” a spokeswoman said.
“The planes have been safely rescued and our engineers will check the plane now. All customers on board have since been put on alternative flights.
“Our pilots are well trained to handle situations like this and the plane is safe after the appropriate procedures are carried out.”
MPs delayed by the incident are expected to arrive in Canberra ahead of the Medy Party Comeet Meeting at Parliament House.