It looks like the Australian government has found a way to keep Singapore Airlines from competing with Qantas. They have allowed the discount Australian Airline Virgin Blue to fly between the USA and Australia.

SINGAPORE Airlines’ bid to fly between Australia and the US could be deferred for another two years, with the Howard Government deciding to buy time by allowing Virgin Blue to compete head-to-head with Qantas on the lucrative route.

After agonising over the decision for more than a year, cabinet will consider a proposal within a month to defer Singapore Airlines’ entry to the Pacific route, The Australian understands.
Transport Minister Warren Truss appears increasingly convinced that a budget Australian-owned carrier - rather than a premium “third-country” brand such as Singapore Airlines - will boost falling tourist numbers in the critically important market between the east coast of Australia and the US.
“If our objective is to have more people come to Australia, tourists and the like, then to achieve that we need a different product than that provided by the current services,” Mr Truss told The Australian yesterday.  via The Australian