- Qantas boss Alan Joyce has challenged state governments to reassess border closures in a bid to support the struggling tourism industry
- Last week, the national airline started a petition calling on state leaders to create a shared definition of a COVID hotspot
- Qantas hopes the review will lead to a timeline for border reopenings and easing domestic travel restrictions so airlines and tourists can return to the sky
- But Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Mills hit back at the airline boss’ claims, saying the CEO needed to show “compassion for Australians”
- Qantas isn’t the only travel stock to oppose Queensland’s border closures — Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner also lambasted the move
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s has also gone toe-to-toe with Queensland Premier Annastasia Palaszczuck and Victorian leader Daniel Andrews over border closures in recent weeks
Qantas boss Alan Joyce has challenged state governments to reassess border closures in a bid to support the struggling tourism industry.
Last week, the national airline started a petition calling on state leaders to create a shared definition of a COVID hotspot. Qantas hopes the review will lead to a timeline for border reopenings and easing domestic travel restrictions so airlines and tourists can return to the sky.
The new campaign, which is also supported by smaller carrier Virgin and travel companies Flight Centre and Helloworld, is set to last for roughly a month.
“We want to see Australians reunite with loved ones after months of being separated. And we want to see local businesses, and the one million people in the tourism industry, get back to work,” the Qantas petition states.
Border politics
Recently, the Qantas CEO argued the closures have become politicised and said the border shutdowns should be assessed on health grounds. Earlier this month, the airline chief spoke out about the closures at an online aviation conference.
“At the moment, there seems to be no fact-based criteria [about] which borders are opening and closing,” Alan stated.
The airline boss’ call for borders to reopen was supported by Virgin Australia’s chief Paul Scurrah.
“I do support Alan Joyce on his urging for medical fact-based decision making around borders. It doesn’t really make sense to have two basically COVID-free cities not being able to connect with each other,” Paul said.
Queensland bites back
But Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Mills hit back at the airline boss’ claims, saying the CEO needed to show “compassion for Australians”.
“These companies and their chief executives obviously have a right to further their economic interests of the companies, but the government has a responsibility first and foremost to take care of the health and the jobs of Queenslanders, and that is what we will continue to do,” he said on Sunday.
“Can I just say, if the boss of Qantas wanted to do more and show compassion for Australians, then he wouldn’t be gouging them tens of thousands of dollars just to come home,” the Deputy Premier continued.
“He would be working with the government to get them home, rather than attacking us on the front page of the paper,” Steven concluded.
Tourism woes
Qantas isn’t the only travel stock to oppose Queensland’s border closures. Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner also lambasted the move, stating there was more at play than just economic issues.
“This is about mental and physical health as well, as well as personal freedoms. I mean, you have heard the terrible heart-breaking stories of people not being able to come to see their dying relatives,” the travel agent boss said on Monday.
“We should be working this as one Australia — having one Australian strategy and opening those borders up as soon as is safe and nearly all the borders it is totally safe at the moment,” Graham continued.
Dr Chris Perry, who heads up the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) Queensland branch, supported the tough border closures today, reiterating they were formed on medical advice.
“We’re doing a very, very good job in this state. Probably because Queensland politicians are listening very carefully to a very well qualified physician,” the AMA chief said.
Travel stocks aren’t the only players to pick a battle with state governments over the border closures. Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s has also gone toe-to-toe with Queensland Premier Annastasia Palaszczuck and Victorian leader Daniel Andrews in recent weeks.