Ciarifying:
Prior to (all 22) Commonwealth owned airports being sold or privatised, they were administered for the Commonwealth by the Federal Airports Corporation. SACL was the new Corporate entity that took over (in this case example) SYD airport after privatisation. Airlines (eg QF) merely continued to operate as before in their commercial encironment.
Exactly - there's a difference between being run by and for the government. I have less issues with the "run for" model. I have big issues with the "run by" model.
Platy - life has changed since the 80s, especially the aviation industry. You really just can't compare it - running a major international airport in the 2020s is completely different to what it was 30-40 years ago. Just look at Qantas. If it was still state owned we'd be propping it up with taxes for sure.
Also, I think we can keep the personal attacks on political beliefs out of this. Just saying.