Qantas CEO pie attacker speaks out on motive

Qantas CEO pie attacker speaks out on motive
By Hannah Edensor


Yesterday, we reported that poor old Qantas CEO Alan Joyce got a pie in the face, as he spruiked the new Perth-London route in Perth.

Today, the pie attacker, known as Tony Overheu, has spoken to media about his political reasonings behind his protest.

It turns out the motive of the attacker – which yesterday was unclear – is that he is opposed to same-sex marriage and wanted to take it out on same-sex marriage supporter and openly gay Joyce.

In March, Joyce was one of 20 high-profile chief executives, including the heads of Westpac and Commonwealth Bank, who urged Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to legislate same-sex marriage. Joyce has also famously directed Qantas to publicly support certain progressive causes, including marriage equality.

Tony Overheu spoke with 6PR’s Breakfast show about his motives and exactly how he pulled the stunt off.

“Middle Australia completely rejects corporate bullying aimed at social engineering,” he began.

“Qantas is insulting many staff and passengers with their boarding pass propaganda. What Airbnb is doing in Canberra airport is highly offensive. Outfits like Wesfarmers and Holden lose huge credibility supporting such campaigns.

“The blatant bullying and extortion of Coopers Brewery was totally reprehensible. CEO’s need to respect Australia is a democracy where backdoor attempts to subvert the clear wishes of the overwhelming majority will cost companies bottom lines.

“Alan Joyce is paid $13 million to run airlines not bulldoze Australia socially against its will.”

 

As for the pie itself, Overheu added, “Lemon meringue appeared to be the softest and least likely to do any injury,” he began. “I bought the cake the previous evening, popped it in my work ute that I own at 6 o’ clock yesterday morning.

“Drove from Willetton, parked in the bottom street below the Hyatt, had the cake wrapped up like a birthday present just to make it compact, walked in the front door… waited for a couple of hours until everyone had come in.”

Joyce managed to get through about three minutes before he got a cream pie hurled into his gob, with the elderly attacker making a beeline for the doors immediately after.

Image: YouTube

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