As Rex has limped on in administration over the past half-year, with prospects for a sale dimming, the question has occasionally been asked: might the government step in more forcefully to keep its essential services in the air?

Now we have our answer: if the administrators can’t find a buyer, the government is looking at the option to buy Rex itself, which would make the carrier the first in Australia to be publicly owned since the privatisation of Qantas around 30 years ago. But what would await the government if it were to stump up the cash for the ailing airline – and is it a good idea in the first place?

Adam and Jake discuss what might be behind the decision, and whether it’s scuppered any chance for a commercial sale.

Plus, with the ACCC looking to wave the Qatar deal through, are Virgin Australia flights to Doha now all but inevitable?