Originally Posted by
Sunfish
The only possible justification for protecting Qantas in some form is National defence capability ---but of course Qantas is shooting down that argument by outsourcing its maintenance and overhaul facilities isn't it?
Nope, vast majority of Qantas maintenance and overhaul work is remaining in house (for the time being). The AVV experiment is turning out to be a dismal failure with an 8% attrition rate among staff. Not that the senior management ,who's reputations hang on the success of AVV, will stop throwing enormous amounts of money at it to try and make it work. Takes more than just money though.
As for national defence capability, always handy to be able to pick up the phone and call someone when you need to move lots of troops in a hurry. Too bad if the country you're at war with owns your national carrier! Don't worry though, Johnny has his BBJ's overhauled by Qantas at Tulla. Apparently it's O.K. for the great unwashed to have their aircraft maintained at some cheap Chinese or Philipino MRO but, the PM likes a bit of peace of mind in knowing that at least his aircraft is maintained to the highest standards.
As for globalisation. If the economy isn't for the good of the people that are in it, what is it there for? The greed of overseas investors? This country can afford as much globalisation as it's prepared to pay for in social security payments.