Nothing secret I agree, but must say there is a price to be paid for a truly "free market". That is job losses and decay of our national transport industry...
SIA pays 2nd world wages to all but its tech crew & mgt (just ask a bag chucker or F/A how much they get at SQ) and enjoys operating in a country where there are few employee rights to speak of. Obviously this makes it easy for them to exploit rich pickings in higher cost economies who try to behave with some kind of ethical code (albeit enforced).
Canberra has to decide how far its support of globalisation is to go. Ultimately one could see the demise of many std setting western carriers as 2nd & 3rd world operators set up bases wherever the juicey markets are, unhindered by local costs and legislation. Competition is one thing - exploitation is another.
How would you feel if in 10 years time there was no QF or NZ and Air China ruled the roost in OZ? Remember the OZ clothing industry?
