LABOR WELCOMES QUEENSLAND BID FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

Labor welcomes the announcement by the Queensland State Government that it is considering making a bid for a stake in Virgin Australia.

The Queensland Government’s proactive response stands in stark contrast to the do-nothing attitude of the Morrison Government.

While respecting the independent administration process that is underway, Labor is supportive of any bid that will protect jobs and maintain Virgin Australia as a major, competitive player in Australia’s airline Industry.

Australia’s economy is reliant on having two major airlines. Not only do our airlines support hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs, but the competition they provide ensures affordable services regularly reach all Australians.

Virgin Australia entering voluntary administration was devastating for its 16,000 employees and contractors, our tourism industry and regional economies.

Allowing private equity investors to pick over Virgin would see thousands of workers lose their jobs and provides no guarantee of ongoing access to affordable flights for the travelling public.

Labor has spent weeks calling on the Morrison Government to assist Virgin and to take an active role in helping them through voluntary administration to ensure Virgin Australia’s survival and workers’ jobs. Labor continues to encourage the Morrison Government to take an active role in this process.

A strong airline industry will be critical to our nation’s recovery from the COVID crisis.

The Queensland Government recognises this and has put the interests of its state first. It remains disappointing that the Morrison Government has not shown the same decisiveness in protecting Australian jobs and the Australian airline industry

THURDAY, 14 MAY 2020