Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

You didn't have any of this enthusiasm for the 10 years you were in government. Let's compare the coalition's new-found enthusiasm for protecting airline consumers with their actual record when they were in government. During their time in government, there were no fewer than 12—I repeat: 12—reports from the ACCC which outlined problems with declining customer service standards, higher prices, record cancellations and record delays. Yet, for almost a decade in government, those opposite did absolutely nothing to tackle the power of the big airlines, increase competition or improve consumer protections. You weren't worried about it when you were in government, were you? We know from a June 2023 ACCC report that pricing is not the only barrier to entry for smaller airlines. Another major barrier is airport take-off and landing sites at Sydney airport. Yet those opposite failed to address this in government. They didn't do a thing.

During the pandemic, Qantas received $2.7 billion in taxpayer funded government assistance from those on that side, including $900 million in JobKeeper payments. Of course this assistance was necessary to keep the airline afloat during the pandemic. But I'll tell you what is outrageous. What is outrageous is that they were not required to pay any of this money back despite making a whopping $2.5 billion profit last financial year. So they got money from the government, there was absolutely nothing that said they had to pay it back and then they made a profit of $2.5 billion. Although they received money for JobKeeper, let's not forget that, while they were receiving all that money, Qantas was shamelessly outsourcing the jobs of the thousands of baggage handlers, catering workers and flight attendants that the other side now seem to feel some compassion for. You didn't care about it then, and we know you don't really care about it now. Qantas was shamelessly outsourcing those jobs.

I remember coming into this place time and time again to plead for Dnata workers who were stood down without any payment. You didn't care about them then. Where has this new-found love come from, I wonder? As I said, I came in here time and time again to ensure Qantas were made accountable for looking after their workforce in return for the taxpayer assistance they were receiving. Now we all know that the coalition always sides with big business over workers, so it's probably no surprise to anyone that coalition frontbenchers referred to the illegal sacking of 1,700 workers by Qantas as 'a good model'. Today they've found some compassion for these workers. Today they want you to think that they've always cared for these workers. Well, do not be misled. They also said, if I remember correctly, that it was in the best interests of the company for these workers to be sacked.

The bill that's currently before the Senate is the latest thought bubble from an opposition that's bereft of any real ideas or any real plan for the future. They come in here, they put up these little stunts, they have their rants and they get worked up by a simple request to be respectful and start yelling—situation normal. As the saying goes, though, never look a gift horse in the mouth. I guess if the opposition are willing to go in to bat for airline consumers after a decade of neglect then we should really welcome their change in attitude.

The other reason I appreciate the opposition bringing this bill on for debate is that it gives me an opportunity to compare the previous government's lacklustre record to what a government does when it is serious about improving airline competition and consumer protection. Whether it's providing regular public audits to improve transparency, growing access for new entrants or improving regional access, the Albanese Labor government's record stands in stark contrast to that of the previous government. We've also taken the important step of reforming the slot system at Sydney Airport for the first time in over 27 years.

I accept that Australians have been paying too much for travel. I have, too, often faced delays and cancellations. You really want to try living in Tasmania. The thing is we know there's still much more to be done. A stunt bill doesn't solve all the problems, and your new-found love for Qantas—or for the airlines and the workers—does not solve all the problems. There's an aviation white paper due to be released mid this year in accordance with our election commitment. Following a comprehensive process including industry round tables, a green paper and further public consultation, the white paper will outline the government's policy in relation to the safety, competitiveness, sustainability and efficiency of the aviation sector.

A reform of the kind proposed in the bill may happen, but, through the white paper process, various policy approaches are being carefully considered and compared and well designed, taking into account the extensive feedback of stakeholders. For the sake of airline competition and the true interests of the travelling public, we want to engage in genuine reform, not just stunts.