SHOULD QANTAS REMAIN THE SOLE AUSTRALIAN FLAG CARRIER?
In another thread I questioned the merit and worthiness of what appears to be extremely excessive and generous senior executive bonuses and benefits, including termination benefits, paid to Qantas senior executives in the period 2008 to 2023 (the Joyce Years), during which the airline net lost exceeded Aus$3.9 Billion.
It appears Qantas has become simply another Australian commercial entity, where policy and corporate morals are dictated by Corporate and personal greed. It has been trashed since the Commonwealth was a shareholder and is no longer the People’s choice with many Australians refusing to fly Qantas.
Interestingly, QANTAS Statutory After Net Tax Profit during the Joyce Years (2008 to date) indicate a
net Loss of Aus$ 3.919 Billion, not all of which can be blamed on Covid, whilst Covid financial incentives to retain staff significantly benefited Qantas and reduced it's net loss over the same period.
In the same period QANTAS paid no Company Tax but received over $2 billion in tax payer funded Corporate welfare, including $900 million in JobKeeper payments, received during the pandemic.
One wonders why the CEO and senior executives enjoyed such generous and lucrative Bonuses and benefits - or any profit related incentive payments - funded by long suffering passengers, share holders and Australian tax payers??
Qantas is now being prosecuted in the Federal Court by the ACCC alleging the airline ….
engaged in false, misleading or deceptive conduct, by advertising tickets for more than 8,000 flights that it had already cancelled but not removed from sale.
Qantas is facing a
Class Action to refund passenger tickets for COVID cancelled flights. The action
…. alleging the airline misled customers about their refund options, withheld funds, and engaged in a "pattern of unconscionable conduct".
The action comes one month after Qantas launched a campaign to encourage customers to use the remaining $400 million in flight credits held by the airline, and after Australia's consumer watchdog indicated its probe into the issue was almost complete.
I am sure Hudson Fysh, Paul McGinness and Fergus McMaster would be very disappointed with what their airline has become over the last two decades. It is equally obvious that many Qantas staff no longer share pride in their airline.
Should Qantas continue to be our sole National Flag Carrier? Or should the status of Australian Flag carrier be awarded to
All Australian airlines which are:
- · Australian registered companies in good standing;
- · Majority Australian resident Directors;
- · Operate Australian registered aircraft on an Australian AOC;
- · Operate Domestic and International scheduled air services;
- · With Australian crews employed under Australian industrial instruments.
“
In good standing” should reflect a commitment to Australia, demonstrated honour and respect for their passengers and staff and pay Australian profit based taxes.