A parliamentary inquiry into the Albanese government’s refusal to allow Qatar Airways more Australian flights has called for all future decisions to be published after the federal opposition accused Labor of evading scrutiny.

Transport Minister Catherine King’s rejection of Qatar’s bid prompted a Coalition-led Senate committee to broadly examine competition in the aviation sector, amid ongoing speculation over whether national carrier Qantas has exerted outsized influence over government decisions.

King has repeatedly said the decision was made in the national interest, and has revealed little about her reasoning, instead claiming public interest immunity over documentation relating to the decision, which also effectively gagged bureaucrats from providing detailed answers about their recommendations to the inquiry.

Among a list of recommendations, the inquiry called for the government to undertake a cost-benefit analysis, consult the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and publish a statement of its reasons in relation to future decisions regarding bilateral air services arrangements.

“Unfortunately, the Government sought to prevent the committee from fully investigating the reasons why additional Qatar Airways flights were rejected by refusing to release documents and placing a gag on the infrastructure and foreign affairs departments,” inquiry chair and Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said.

The committee has also recommended the government implement consumer protections against significant flight delays, cancellations and lost baggage, in an attempt to repair the reputation of the Australian aviation market amid rising customer resentment.

King refused to front the inquiry when called, accusing the Coalition of staging a political stunt, while former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce didn’t attend due to prior overseas commitments.

The committee recommended the Senate request that the House of Representatives give King leave to appear before a second inquiry, comprised of the same members, in which it is also intended that Joyce appear.