“Qantas is undertaking a review of its Hobart base for QantasLink flight and cabin crew,” Mr Wilkie said.
“Dozens of aircraft crew are currently based in the city, providing valuable jobs and a good lifestyle for the airline’s staff, saving Qantas enormous layover expenses and providing operational flexibility. For aircraft crew to relocate, or in effect become FIFO workers, would obviously be very difficult for them and their families, and a significant economic loss to Hobart.
“This development follows hot on the heels of Justice Michael Lee slamming a $90 million fine on Qantas for unlawfully sacking thousands of workers during the early days of the COVID pandemic. Justice Lee was scathing of the behaviour of the company and its HR practices.
“The possibility of QantasLink closing its local crew base also follows Qantas’ failed 2014 experiment when the airline axed all mainline Qantas services to Hobart. This saw a decline in quality and was eventually reversed to ensure some mainline services were restored.
“Qantas tell me that no decision has been made yet regarding the Hobart base. But in the circumstances I feel it necessary to call on Qantas to rule out closing the Hobart base, and to commit to maintaining similar QantasLink staff numbers in Hobart for the foreseeable future.
“I also call on Qantas and the Tasmanian Government to bring clarity to the current situation with Qantas’ excellent Hobart call centre. In 2014 it also faced closure. But it was thrown a 10-year $10.9 million taxpayer-funded lifeline, which presumably has now expired. “The bottom line is that generations of Tasmanians, including hundreds of Qantas staff, have given their loyalty to the flying kangaroo. They expect that to be reciprocated.”