Sunraysia Daily, Tuesday, April 16, 2002
'Heartless' Qantas is mimicking banks: MP
QANTAS will be joining "the heartless company of some of our banks" if it goes ahead with the termination of its loyal local administration which has overseen the development of one of the company's most profitable routes.
Member for North Western Province Barry Bishop said yesterday he could not believe a major company such as Qantas would consider dismantling a profitable operation in the name of increased efficiency.
"Most businesses would be examining why this part of the business works so well and would look to expanding operations at Mildura," he said.
"Its a bit hard to understand.
"It is also hard to understand why the company shows no recognition of the strong community views that have been coming through during the recent consultative process, which must now be seen as a real sham.
"Qantas appears to be joining the heartless company of some of our banks, and in our local situation can expect some backlash unless the decision is reversed to take into account loyal staff who have created a strong community link with the airline"
He said regional community views had been dismissed in the company's haste to rationalise regardless of the consequences.
"This decision is obviously driven by a senior executive a long way from here who has no understanding of the repercussions and real opportunities that abound in this part of regional Victoria.
"Given the high loadings on Qantas aircraft on the Mildura run, some questions require answers.
"The first is has the Qantas board signed off on this decision.
"The second is has the review process been completed and what guarantee do we have that the remaining employees will retain long tenure in Mildura. "It's a bit strange to be reducing staff while increasing flights to and from Mildura"
Mr Bishop said the group of Qantas managers making the decision should not walk away from their responsibilities to regional Victoria as a major Australian corporate entity.
"This community needs to know if this decision to rationalise the Mildura administration has already been made and signed off.
"The wind is changing in regional Victoria and communities are more prepared to stand up to major corporates and some are already beginning to realise that if they don't listen, they have to pay the price.
"Qantas has had a magnificent run with Mildura since an ailing airline was rescued by locals and built up into a major business before it was taken over by Qantas.
"This goes deeper than just an airline this part of Qantas was a business built by local sweat and expertise into what it is today I often wonder what Qantas managing director Geoff Dixon thinks about what is now happening in Mildura," Mr Bishop said.