Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I made it clear publicly and in the parliament that I did not anticipate that Qantas would seek to lock out its employees. This is the most extreme industrial option available to an employer. It is the most extreme action possible.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

An all-out strike, Senator, is the equivalent. You are quite right. An all-out strike by those three unions shutting down Qantas would be the equivalent of what Qantas did—that is, a lockout of all its employees, closing down the airline without notice to government or to its passengers. It is the most extreme industrial action available to Qantas. So when I am asked, 'Did I anticipate them taking that action?'—no. Their last advice to me was that they continued to seek a negotiated settlement. When they did take that action, the government moved immediately to act on the advice it was given, which was to seek orders from Fair Work Australia. We did so, we got the orders and we had the industrial action terminated. It worked, and I am very pleased it did. (Time expired)