Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise in solidarity with Teri O'Toole and the Flight Attendants Association. Last week, more than a thousand Qantas domestic flight attendants voted on whether to take industrial action. A resounding 99 per cent voted yes. Qantas flight attendants have suffered a four-year pay freeze. After inflation, they have taken a massive real wage cut. They were furloughed during the pandemic but stuck with Qantas. Their average annual pay is just $48,000—just $48,000 to be the first and only responders to all in-cabin emergencies; just $48,000 to be working at all times of the day and night across time zones; and just $48,000 to miss school runs, birthdays and family functions. I challenge anyone in this chamber, or on the Qantas board, to support their families on an income of $48,000 a year. With all credit to the SDA, you make more stacking shelves at Woolworths.

But what does Qantas offer them? Their offer is longer hours with a shorter rest break between shifts and a below-inflation pay rise for future payments of just three per cent. This is a slap in the face when Qantas just announced it would make a record half-year profit of $1.4 billion. That's a lovely Christmas bonanza for Alan Joyce and his shareholders and a fat lump of coal for Qantas flight attendants. So, for anyone wondering how the brilliant Qantas leadership made so much profit this year, here's your answer: it's been snatched out of the hands of working mums and dads, who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads this Christmas.