E&OE Transcript
Radio Interview
ABC Radio Canberra Breakfast with Ross Solly
Wednesday 17 September 2025
Ross Solly
As you might have heard in our opener at 830 and if you were listening earlier this morning after the seven o'clock news, we were talking to the Transport Workers Union about reports that Qantas is going to shut down its operations here in Canberra, its Qantas link operations. We have asked, we've reached out to Qantas and say, "Hey, come on. There's obviously a lot of people who are going to be affected by this, maybe you could come on and explain to the Canberra community what this means. Is it going to mean we're going to have more flights canceled, more delays, and what about the people whose jobs are at stake?" No show from Qantas refusing to come on and talk and to put some meat on the bone regarding that. So let's see if our federal reps might step up and or can they step up and maybe try and get some answers from Qantas. Alicia Payne is the member for Canberra and joins us on the breakfast show this morning. Good morning to you. Alicia Payne.
Alicia Payne MP
Good morning, Ross.
Ross Solly
Were you given a briefing? Did Qantas tell you that they were going to do this? Or was it like the rest of his news to you yesterday?
Alicia Payne MP
They did give us a heads up. At the same time they were mentioning it to the union and others but pretty much not a lot of notice before it's come out.
Ross Solly
And what explanation did they give you for the reason, because we can't get answers from them. What explanation did they give you for the reasons that they're going to do this?
Alicia Payne MP
Well, I think, like they've been saying in the media, that it will make things more efficient and bring down costs, but I must say, I'm very skeptical. Noting that I'm not someone who knows the finer points of how an airline is run, but I would have thought that cutting people from our national capital and a major regional center. I'm not sure how that will make things more efficient. I think it'd be quite the opposite. And obviously we're really concerned about the impact on those 30 people's jobs and their families as well.
Ross Solly
And by the way, cutting costs is all well and good, but I don't think they're struggling at the moment Qantas.
Alicia Payne MP
No, well, that's right. I mean, Qantas makes significant profits off the back of the loyalty of Australian customers, including Canberra customers. And I think with that comes a responsibility to ensure that you're providing a good service and treating your workers with respect and proper conditions and job security, and not, trying to cut every cost all the time, like that.
Ross Solly
So did you get a full understanding from Qantas about exactly, I mean, is it the whole operation Alicia Payne that they're talking about shutting down, and what reassurances were they able to give you as one of the local members here, that our services wouldn't suffer as a result?
Alicia Payne MP
So it wasn't, I haven't discussed it with them myself at this point. We were just given a very high level heads up, really nothing that hasn't been in the media. And we are, myself and Labor colleagues, are very concerned about this, and we'll be talking to them further, as well as talking to the Union further, about the implications of this. But as I say, I mean, they are claiming that this will make the airline more efficient. And I cannot see how that would actually be the case. And as we've heard, you know, this morning, I heard one of your listeners call in, who's a former Qantas employee, explaining that, you know, when the planes are here overnight, you don't have the crew here overnight. That's the cost of putting people in hotels, etc. And we've seen a lot of people raising the point that if a crew member is sick or unable to be there, that then they'll have to get people in from other places, which can take many hours and lead to delays. So these are all questions that I think Qantas needs to answer. And also we are the nation's capital and a major airport, and I think we can expect to have Qantas link services run out of our airport
Ross Solly
and Alicia Payne, also that Canberra-Sydney Link. Correct me if I'm wrong. If it's not the most cancelled flight, then it's up there. Close to the most cancelled flight is also often facing delays, as our texter this morning said, and he's somebody who worked for Qantas. If somebody calls in sick, or somebody takes sick, it's going to take three to four hours to get someone down to Canberra to take over on the flight. I mean, I don't think this is going to solve the problem of all these canceled flights or delayed flights out of Canberra.
Alicia Payne MP
No, that's exactly right. And I think Qantas has unfortunately, a track record in this space, and there are constant concerns about, as you say, particularly that Canberra-Sydney route, including recently, around the costs, around the delays, and they always tell us they're going to be doing better, and I can't see how cutting staff and a whole operation from our airport would help with that.
Ross Solly
Yeah, so can you, do you have any powers at all? I mean, Qantas, they rely on the government, obviously, for support and etc, etc. Is there anything Alicia Payne that you and your colleagues here will do to try and stop this, to overturn this, or at least to try and get some guarantees that is not going to harm our community?
Alicia Payne MP
Well, absolutely, we will seek those guarantees, and we will be asking those questions. At the end of the day, they are a business, so there are limited things that the government can actually do about this, but I will, we will definitely be putting pressure on them to answer these questions and ensure that Canberrans won't again be, you know, left out in the cold by Qantas.
Ross Solly
Someone has asked on the text line, and it's only, I guess it is fair, I ask you this. Alicia Payne, are you a member of the Qantas club?
Alicia Payne MP
Yes, I am. Well, yes, I am, as most members of parliament or people who travel a lot are, I obviously don't travel as much as my colleagues do, because I have the privilege to be the Member of Parliament who probably lives the closest Parliament House of any. So I'm not a big user of it.
Ross Solly
Okay, I wonder if Qantas follows through on this and does what it's promising to do and shut down its operations here, would that tempt you to maybe rescind or to hand back your Qantas club membership?
Alicia Payne MP
Um, look, maybe. But to be honest, I think people overplay the impact that, the influence that having that would have. I mean, I've joined the Qantas club like everyone else you know does.
Ross Solly
Like not everyone does. I don't think David Pocock is a member, no,
Alicia Payne MP
I assume the listeners referring to the chairman's lounge
Ross Solly
I assume so, yes, yes.
Alicia Payne MP
as I say, I hardly ever use it, and when I do, it might mean that I grab a coffee before I jump on a flight that I would be probably cutting as finely as possible, anyway. It's not, but sure, maybe, if that's but it really doesn't make me, I guess, yeah, better supporter of Qantas than I would otherwise be.
Ross Solly
No, I guess so. But I guess one of the reasons that people talk about this is that it does give Qantas some influence over members of parliament, you know, to give them access to the chairman's lounge. And maybe that would be a strong signal if you and I don't know, other colleagues here in Canberra were to say that we're we're handing back our card. We don't want to be part of this anymore. That that would possibly send a message?
Alicia Payne MP
I suppose so. But I mean, we also get membership of the Virgin equivalent. And when I go on a flight, which, as I say, is not as often as most of my colleagues, the main thing for me is the time that the flight is, and how that fits in with what I have to do. And I don't feel that these things are as bigger influences, perhaps is perceived. But you know, I take the point.
Ross Solly
all right. Alicia Payne, I appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.
Alicia Payne MP
Thanks, Ross.
