The Greens have called for the renationalization of Qantas in light of the airline’s recent dismal performance.
Elizabeth Watson-Brown, the party’s transport spokeswoman, argued that the national carrier should be returned to public control after Paul Keating privatized it in 1992.
In the past few months, Qantas has been extensively criticized for delays, lost baggage, and record cancellations as a result of Covid-19 lockouts and staffing shortages.
The $9.6 billion Qantas airline posted a series of graphs on social media to demonstrate that its performance is improving.
Ms. Watson-Brown told Parliament on Tuesday, prior to Question Time, that the privatization of Qantas in the 1990s — a choice made by Labor under Keating – was intended to create a more innovative and efficient service.
Cheaper flights for passengers, improved results for all. This was the catchphrase. And it was gibberish.’
Qantas, which is valued $9.6 billion, recently posted a series of graphs on social media to demonstrate that its performance is improving.
‘The privatisation of Qantas in the 1990s – a choice made by Labor under Keating – was intended to create a more innovative and efficient service,’ Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown said in a statement before Question Time on Tuesday. Cheaper flights for passengers, improved results for all. This was the catchphrase. And it was rubbish’
We are working hard to improve our customer service, and our performance is improving. In August, our rates of on-time departures, flight cancellations, and misplaced luggage all improved significantly. We’re restoring our service to pre-Covid levels,’ the message stated.
The data revealed that on-time performance has increased from 52% in July to 70% in the last week of August, while cancellations have fallen from 7.5% to 2.2%.
Ms. Watson-Brown criticized Qantas for firing luggage carriers and allowing executives to take home lucrative compensation packages prior to Covid.
She added that in June, only 60% of Qantas flights landed on time, despite the fact that many passengers would have experienced recent delays, lost luggage, and cancellations.
In 2018, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce received $23.9 million due to the airline’s record profits. In 2020, however, he will receive only $1.7 million.
The Greens have called for the renationalization of Qantas in response to the airline’s recent dismal performance.
Could it have anything to do with the fact that Qantas fired off 8,500 employees during the pandemic while getting $2 billion in JobKeeper and other state funds?
‘Many of these workers were simply rehired as independent contractors, resulting in a decline in wages and working conditions, and consequently in job quality and safety.
Engineers haven’t received a pay raise in four years, despite the fact that CEO Alan Joyce frequently takes home $24 million in salary and incentives.
In 2018, Joyce received $23.9 million as a result of the airline’s record profits, but in 2020, she will only receive $1.7 million.
Ms. Watson-Brown, the new member of parliament for Ryan in Brisbane, remarked, ‘It seems to me that privatization has been a boon for executives but a disaster for Australians.
Therefore, it is appropriate that the workers, both the engineers and now the ground crew, go on strike to demand improved wages and working conditions.
And it’s time for this government to acknowledge that the privatization of Qantas was a mistake and explore bringing it back under public ownership.
Adam Bandt, leader of the Australian Greens, addresses the House of Representatives.