Joyce’s appearance before a senate inquiry blocked by Labor, Greens

Joyce’s appearance before a senate inquiry blocked by Labor, Greens

Former Qantas boss Alan Joyce won’t have to face a senate inquiry after Labor and the Greens stymied a senate motion to force his appearance.

Joyce was originally requested to attend the senate inquiry into bilateral air service agreements where a number of aviation and political figures discussed the state of Australia aviation. The controversial former airline CEO did not appear as he was overseas at the time and refused to call in.

Victorian Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, who led the senate inquiry, proposed re-establishing the group to probe Joyce on his conduct at Qantas and his alleged influence he had on the government’s decision to block 28 additional flights per week for Qatar Airways into Australia.

Alan Joyce getting inquired by the senate on the cost of living earlier in the year

Joyce facing the senate was one of the ten recommendations given by the inquiry, alongside reviewing the Qatar Airways blocking, implementing consumer protection laws, investigate slot hoarding at Sydney Airport and resume the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) quarterly report into domestic aviation, which was announced yesterday.

McKenzie criticised the opponents of Joyce’s presence at an inquiry on ABC News, arguing that they were protecting the former Qantas boss.

“On the floor of the Senate today, the Labor Party, the Greens and David Pocock decided to continue the protection racket of Alan Joyce,” she said.

Alan Joyce has been riddled with controversy as he oversaw an array of anti-competitive and corrupt behaviour by the airline during his tenure.

The illegal sacking of nearly 1,700 ground workers, a class action over COVID credits, an ACCC investigation over selling tickets on already cancelled flights and allegations of slot hoarding at Sydney Airport has tarnished the reputation of the former CEO.

Joyce’s alleged lobbying of the government against additional capacity for Qatar Airways was also the topic of much controversy, something McKenzie and her fellow Coalition parliamentarians described as indicative of a “sweetheart deal” between the national carrier and the Labor government.

(Featured Image: Alan Joyce with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the announcement of Qantas’ ‘Yes’ endorsement)

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]