The Senate will on Wednesday vote on a motion to summon Alan Joyce to front an inquiry into Qantas’ relationship with the government, as the airline’s former chief was spotted in Ireland.
Mr Joyce was pictured by for the first time in almost two months leaving his mother’s home in Dublin after abruptly bringing forward his retirement during the airline’s worst publicity crisis in decades.
He left the airline to new Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson on September 5 – the same day an inquiry into Qantas’ role in the Albanese government knocking back a Qatar Airways application for additional flights into the country was established
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, and chair of the Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements, told Sky News Australia there were a raft of issues involving Mr Joyce’s tenure which needed to be probed.
“The Senate will vote to reinstate the Committee to hear directly from Alan Joyce about why Qantas continues to receive preferential treatment from the Albanese government,” she said on Wednesday.
“Why, when under his CEO period, the frequent flyer points were devalued for Australian customers, why staff were sacked, why he thought it was an okay thing to pocket over $500 million worth of COVID flight credits from loyal customers.
“These are legitimate and serious questions and it is time he head home to front up to the Australian Senate on behalf of the Australian people.”
When grilled on why Ms Hudson was not being called to face the questions, Senator McKenzie maintained Mr Joyce was one of three people who could answer for the “very cosy, political and personal relationship” between Qantas and the government.
Senator McKenzie said the motion to summon Mr Joyce would be a “test” for Labor and will reveal whether the Party is running a “protection racquet” for the airline.
“The Australian people rightfully are shocked and appalled by the behaviour of our once much-loved national carrier Qantas,” she said.
“It is Alan Joyce who has the answers to these questions and this is why we are pursuing him.
“The Senate’s role is to hold executive government to account on behalf of the Australian people.”
Qatar Airways was seeking to operate an additional 21 flights a week into Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne – a move which would have seen cheaper airfares for consumers.
Qantas has been accused of playing a role in the contentious decision to maintain its market share, after being the only airline lobbying against the proposal.
The Opposition sought an inquiry into Transport Minister Catherine King’s July 10 rejection, which has since widened to include a broader examination of competition within the national aviation industry.
(SKY NEWS)
