New aviation industry ombudsman in Australia

[justinbrett]

Interesting the party of free enterprise wanting to intervene on market forces at work.

Well the party doesn’t.

It’s just that one particular shadow minister who has some strong opinions on QF. Still holds chairman’s lounge membership though.

 

[Blackadder]

Qantas and Jetstar should be threatened with forced break-up, says Coalition

The Coalition has proposed threatening Qantas with powers that could force it to sell off Jetstar if the national carrier behaves anti-competitively.

www.abc.net.au

Easy to threaten when your chairman's lounge isnt at risk

And they did nothing about it when in Government.
Political opportunism 101

 

[Quickstatus]

Because it’s declared, it’s open and transparent.

But still a conflict of interest IMO.

 

[justinbrett]

But still a conflict of interest IMO.

It’s not working with said shadow minister!

 

[openseat]

Minister Catherine King called the divestment “a dangerous thought bubble”. What a hoot. Doubling down on the QF protection racket.
The only bubble when it comes to protecting Australian consumers is the one between the minister’s ears.

 

[kelvedon]

FT reporting that even the US is now considering a EU/UK 261 type compensation scheme.

U.S. Considering EC261-Type Compensation Rule

The Dallas Morning News reports the Biden administration is working on a proposed rule which would require carriers based in America to provide similar recourse for delayed passengers. Rule Would Require Cash Compensation on Top of Food and Hotel Vouchers During an invite-only meeting, White...

www.flyertalk.com

 

[Big John]

FT reporting that even the US is now considering a EU/UK 261 type compensation scheme.

U.S. Considering EC261-Type Compensation Rule

The Dallas Morning News reports the Biden administration is working on a proposed rule which would require carriers based in America to provide similar recourse for delayed passengers. Rule Would Require Cash Compensation on Top of Food and Hotel Vouchers During an invite-only meeting, White...

www.flyertalk.com

As per usual, the rest of the world is ahead of Australia !

 

[Seat0B]

How is this not a conflict of interest?

CLEO here - it is a conflict of interest.

Post automatically merged: Friday at 11:05 PM

t’s a conflict of interest if it’s not declared

It’s a conflict whether declared or not.

The test is whether the private interest is sufficient to distort or influence the exercise of public duty.

 

[oz_mark]

CLEO here - it is a conflict of interest.

Post automatically merged: Friday at 11:05 PM

It’s a conflict whether declared or not.

The test is whether the private interest is sufficient to distort or influence the exercise of public duty.

Indeed. And then it comes down to how you manage the conflict of interest.

 

[Mattg]

Indeed. And then it comes down to how you manage the conflict of interest.

And we have no idea how the minister, nor the secretaries in her department, have managed this conflict of interest, because they haven't given a single explanation or reason as to why a compensation scheme is not mentioned in the White Paper.

 

[CaptJCool]

And we have no idea how the minister, nor the secretaries in her department, have managed this conflict of interest, because they haven't given a single explanation or reason as to why a compensation scheme is not mentioned in the White Paper.

Well she has now

Delayed air travellers may get compensation under rules Albanese government proposes

Catherine King says new charter may force airlines to compensate you if they bump you off a flight, delay your flight, or cancel it

www.theguardian.com

 

[Mattg]

Well she has now

Delayed air travellers may get compensation under rules Albanese government proposes

Catherine King says new charter may force airlines to compensate you if they bump you off a flight, delay your flight, or cancel it

www.theguardian.com

From what I can tell from this interview, she doesn't want a compensation scheme because it could increase the price of airline tickets?

That line is straight out of the airline playbook and it hasn't really been proven to be true elsewhere. (In any case, if it did increase ticket prices, it would probably still be worth it because any costs that the scheme adds to airlines would go back to passengers who've been messed around by them and could have incurred real financial losses as a result.)

This still doesn't really give any insight into how she's managing the obvious conflict of interest of having Chairmans Lounge membership while also being the minister in charge of aviation.

 

[LondonAussie]

I don't understand the obsession with compensation and ignoring the more important and valuable aspect of EU/UK regulations in event of delay or cancellation:
- reimbursement of all additional expenses, including transport, accommodation and meals
- choice to be re-booked on another airline to get you to your destination sooner
- choice for a full refund AND a return flight to your origin if mid-booking,

This applies to all delays and cancellations, whereas compensation only applies in the absence of extraordinary circumstances.

 

[Mattg]

I don't understand the obsession with compensation and ignoring the more important and valuable aspect of EU/UK regulations in event of delay or cancellation:
- reimbursement of all additional expenses, including transport, accommodation and meals
- choice to be re-booked on another airline to get you to your destination sooner
- choice for a full refund AND a return flight to your origin if mid-booking,

This applies to all delays and cancellations, whereas compensation only applies in the absence of extraordinary circumstances.

All of the things you've described would be most welcome!