Special Economic Zones
The Philippines are in on the act as well with Lufthansa Technik being afforded this special tax consideration helping to get the 380 maintenance. It is about time AIPA, AFAP, VIPA, JPC, ALAEA and the AWU etc take this TOGETHER with QANTAS, VIRGIN AUSTRALIA, JETSTAR and AIR AUSTRALIA to the government to allow us, all airline employees to have half a chance of competing. It is not just the pressure on wages due to the high dollar but more importantly, the massive difference in taxation that is hampering our ability to compete. It is government policy from both sides that is helping to export ALL our jobs.
Domestically we all compete, internationally however, we will continue to be slaughtered. VA employees you will fly to the States and may get a little more flying to ASIA, SA with new EDTO provisions but that probably is it. That's because you're not competing with airlines from an SEZ, instead your feeding them. This will help you domestically but do nothing for you internationally.
We need Australia to have an SEZ / Freeport in order to compete when it comes to International aviation because the logical conclusion is the revenue we're getting from these Australian companies at the moment will be gone, you may as well at least try to keep the jobs and PAYG tax. The government and opposition need to be lobbied as ONE industry. Does someone here have the skills to start a petition that could be passed through all our industry so that finally, we too, may have a voice?