2GB is hunting Alan Joyce over allegations of insider trading:
While the federal opposition is hunting Albo over his Qantas cronyism:
The key departments of Trade and Treasury were not asked for advice on the decision to block Qatar Airways’ bid for more flights into Australia, which the Coalition claims will cost the economy $1bn a year.
In response to a demand from the Senate, Jim Chalmers and Trade Minister Don Farrell have both reported that Treasury and Trade were not asked for advice from Transport Minister Catherine King about the airline’s bid for 28 extra flights into Australia.
Albo has turned into ScoMo:
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sidestepped questions about whether he or his office directed or provided advice to Transport Minister Catherine King to block Qatar Airways’ bid for additional flights into Australia.
Meanwhile, Ms King refused to say which of her ministerial colleagues she consulted about the decision after Trade Minister Don Farrell and Defence Minister Richard Marles said their advice was not sought.
Qantas today sees another scandal deepen:
Qantas has lost its High Court bid to overturn a Federal Court decision that it illegally sacked almost 1700 ground handling staff during the pandemic, in another blow to the national carrier’s reputation.
Qantas stood down the ground staff in November 2020 and began using third-party providers including Dnata, Menzies and Swissport, which are also used by other global airlines including Emirates and Etihad.
The fallout should be obvious:
The TWU called for Qantas chairman Richard Goyder to step down after the ruling.
…“The final act of this board should be to strip Alan Joyce of his bonuses and follow him out the door,” he said.
As Qatar takes its revenge:
The now-departed Alan Joyce’s competitive coup against Qatar Airways – whose request to double flights into major capital cities was denied by Transport Minister Catherine King – has been at the expense of both Australian travellers and the credibility of the government which so breezily facilitated it.
This piecemeal trial by media seeking to determine who knew what when on at least four possible Qantas frauds is destroying the national carrier’s brand, credibility and safety profile.
It’s time for a Qantas royal commission to clear up the facts, force board accountability, prosecute where necessary, make policy recommendations on an appropriate aviation competition framework and restore public trust.
