It's a bit strong to say it, but to me it suggests a little bit of regulatory capture. We have heard this before, governments of all stripes arguing that they have to protect commercial interests, when in fact government is a regulator and is supposed to hold companies to account when there are shortfalls or failings.
There should be no protection for a company that's not fulfilling its contract and that is acting in a way that harms the public interest. It doesn't make sense to me.