TWU renews call for PM to rescue Virgin as German gov't takes equity in Lufthansa

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine says the clock is ticking on the survival of Virgin Australia and it's now critical for the federal government to stump up with an emergency rescue loan. 

The request comes as the German government considers a 20 percent equity stake in Lufthansa worth US$9.9 billion. 

Mr Kaine tells ABC's Peter Ryan that the Prime Minister's steadfast refusal is "brinkmanship" and complicates the work of Virgin's administrators.