AFR's Joe Aston goes BAM!

[33kft]

I'm about 4 hours into the audiobook now and by far the most ridiculous part of the story (not that it's new, but it's still jarring to hear) so far has been the part where McCormack gave Rex $62m for them to do as they see fit. The criticism around flight credits when the government grounded flights is pretty one-eyed, there were a ton of airlines who handled it the same way including VA but it's painted as being a distinctly Qantas-inspired scheme, the only other thing of interest that I've heard so far is around the BGH negotiations with VA which is genuinely interesting stuff.

I do hope it gets juicier from here, though. It's been a bit ho hum. The commentary here had led me to believe there would be a lot of info about what was happening inside the airline and I've heard very little that we didn't already know so far.

Can I also say that, and I'll admit I've taken a pretty skeptical lens to this given what I have percieved as a fair bit of grandstanding, Joe starting out the book by first declaring that he's a member of the beyond "club" and then launching into a description of the chairman's lounge as being a cloak and dagger courtship of favour seemed really off to me. It's on the level of MPs giving Albo stick because they too benefit from upgrades but had to call a lowly call centre to get them and that somehow makes their actions much more virtuous.

It's great that he's being transparent and all but just declaring that he's ex Lib, ex Qantas, makes a ton of money off his very popular Rear Window articles, has hooked up plenty of upgrades in the past, is part of another airlines lobbying lounge program and so on doesn't mean these are not all elements of who he is and where his viewpoint originates, it just shields him from criticism had he not disclosed them.

 

[justinbrett]

However, i think the point being made is there are more stories to be explored in the book which cast further light on the relationship between QF and Govt which prima facie also does not protect the public interest.

That may be the case but this thread is just representing the wider community in what’s most interesting to discuss.

 

[MARTINE]

No matter what you think of the OpEd, this is some awkward ad placement:

View attachment 414064

Interesting I dont get that ad!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Interesting I dont get that ad!

lol. You might like to think on that response a little.

 

[DejaBrew]

lol. You might like to think on that response a little.

I think you may have misunderstood MARTINE’s post. Likely that the ad does not appear for her, vs not understanding it.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I think you may have misunderstood MARTINE’s post. Likely that the ad does not appear for her, vs not understanding it.

But one can see it in the post here.

 

[MARTINE]

I think you may have misunderstood MARTINE’s post. Likely that the ad does not appear for her, vs not understanding it.

Yes, it does not appear on MY mobile phone screen

.. and I do see the Virgin ad on the post on the screen in @Captain Halliday’s post

 

[sudoer]

Yes, it does not appear on MY mobile phone screen

It would be served programmatically.

 

[TheRealTMA]

ahaha. Glass houses.

McKenzie to reveal more than a dozen flight upgrades

The opposition transport spokeswoman led the attack on Anthony Albanese over allegations he sought better seats from former Qantas boss Alan Joyce.

www.smh.com.au

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I’m the ongoing Qantas Chairpersons Lounge saga, one teal member for Sydney’s Lower North Shore has refused to give up her Qantas Chairperson’s Lounge membership:
Teal MP refuses to give up Chairman’s Lounge as perks scandal continues to engulf Canberra

I, for one, have to salute the MP for doing the right thing here. Who amongst us would voluntarily give up our Gold or Platinum status that we worked so hard for? Now think about how much work is needed to earn something as coveted as Chairperson’s lounge membership. Not an easy feat.

And for all those people calling this out as a rort I have only one thing to say, “It’s only a rort if you’re not involved!”

-RooFlyer88

 

[sudoer]

Who amongst us would voluntarily give up our Gold or Platinum status that we worked so hard for? Now think about how much work is needed to earn something as coveted as Chairperson’s lounge membership. Not an easy feat.

CL might be coveted but it isn't awarded based on 'hard work'

 

[kangarooflyer88]

CL might be coveted but it isn't awarded based on 'hard work'

How can you say that such statuses arent earned based on hard work? Are you an MP? Have you had to spend hours sitting down with lobbyists to craft legislation favourable to them? I would argue that’s much more challenging than catching a flight across the ditch during a double status credit promotion (particularly if your employer is paying for that).

-RooFlyer88

 

[SeaWolf]

CL might be coveted but it isn't awarded based on 'hard work'

I think that post was firmly tounge-in-cheek (at least I hope it was).

 

[sudoer]

How can you say that such statuses arent earned based on hard work? Are you an MP?

How much hard work did Nathan Albanese do for his membership?

 

[kamchatsky]

How much hard work did Nathan Albanese do for his membership?

Nathan is not an MP, so hard work doesn't apply to him as CL is invitation only.

 

[CaptJCool]

How much hard work did Nathan Albanese do for his membership?

N/A

 

[p--and--t]

ahaha. Glass houses.

McKenzie to reveal more than a dozen flight upgrades

The opposition transport spokeswoman led the attack on Anthony Albanese over allegations he sought better seats from former Qantas boss Alan Joyce.

www.smh.com.au

Poor dear, couldn't remember 3 upgraded flights this year alone. <redacted>

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think MPs should be shown a video by the National Anti Corruption Commission styled in a similar manner to the Australian immigration video when flying into the country.

“Just declare it. You will not be penalized for declaring any allegedly corrupt activity. Don’t be sorry, declare it!”

And the video could show videoed of Pollies in First class sipping a glass of champagne or a politician handing a property developer a $10 bill in one hand and receiving keys to a house in another.

This message brought to you by the Australian Government Can-bear-uh!

-RooFlyer88

 

[CaptJCool]

ones corrupt behaviour is another's loophole...

context matters
so if my parent buys a house in can bear ugh and I 'rent' it from them?
or I divorce my partner so we can share the benefit of land tax remissions or better still, have them come work in the electorate office?

 

[RooFlyer]

However, i think the point being made is there are more stories to be explored in the book which cast further light on the relationship between QF and Govt which prima facie also does not protect the public interest.

Such as the revolving door between Qantas mid managers and executives and government advisors and staffers. Back and forth.