A Tasmanian federal MP has written to Qantas CEO Mark Dal Pra, urging the airline to reconsider closing its Hobart crew base in April.
Franklin Labor MP Julie Collins cited fresh evidence from a Senate inquiry, where former Qantas executive Steve Farquer turned warned the closure would devastate local staff and hurt Tasmania’s tourism.
“The passion of the crew base, their commitment in advocating for Tasmania, what they deliver in terms of customer service and supporting our brand proposition has been very, very crucial,” Farquer told the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee hearing in Wynyard.
Farquer, who now works for Tourism Tasmania and established the Hobart base while at Qantas, said the move would upend workers’ lives.
“The impact for a number of Tasmanians who have chosen to live in Hobart, who have brought their families to Hobart and established a life in Hobart – schools, education, health – it’s a significant issue for them,” he said.
QantasLink announced in October it would shut bases in Hobart, Canberra and Mildura from April, affecting 71 flight and cabin crew.
The airline said concentrating staff at major airports would improve reliability.
But a Senate committee report released last week found the closures were poorly managed and had devastated staff and regional communities.
In her letter, Collins referenced additional comments from Labor senators urging Qantas to reverse course.
“We acknowledge the impact this decision will have on affected Qantas employees and their communities and strongly urge Qantas to reconsider its planned closures,” she said.
“The evidence is clear: the upcoming closure of Qantaslink’s base in Hobart will hurt Tasmania and Tasmanians.”
“It will hurt Tasmania’s tourism industry, and it will hurt local Qantaslink staff who
have been impacted.”
“We therefore urge you again to reconsider the closure of Qantaslink’s base in
Hobart and look fonvard to you continuing to support our island state.”
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan defended the decision last year, saying consolidating crew would improve service reliability.
“This will help us better respond to disruptions and improve reliability across our regional network,” she said.
Qantas said all affected staff had been offered roles elsewhere, with most accepting.
The airline promised comprehensive support including flights and accommodation for commuting crew.
