Unions’ air war about power, payback

Original article by Robyn Ironside
The Australian – Page: 15 : 22-Jul-26

The Transport Workers’ Union will use Labor’s upcoming national conference to push for a ‘Safe and Secure Skies Commission’ to be established. Amongst other things, proposed aviation oversight body would have the power to cap executive pay and bonuses in the sector and hold both airlines and airports to account for safety and fairness. However, the Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia’s national secretary Teri O’Toole and the Australian & International Pilots Association’s president Andrew Marshall contend that a new industry oversight body is not necessary. O’Toole says the proposal is merely a "blatant power grab" by the TWU.

CORPORATES
TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNION, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS’ ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL PILOTS ASSOCIATION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Qatar turbulence worsens as PM washes his hands of flights decision

Original article by Joe Kelly, Robyn Ironside, Glen Norris
The Australian – Page: 1 & 7 : 30-Aug-23

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the decision to reject Qatar Airlines’ application for additional flights into Australia was made solely by Transport Minister Catherine King, and that he had no role in it. However, Albanese contends that the former Coalition government had made similar decisions. It has also been revealed that King did not consult with her colleagues prior to rejecting Qatar Airways’ request. King has stated that the decision was made in the national interest, while Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones recently said Labor did not want to drive airfares down to a level where it is unsustainable for the existing Australia-based carrier. ANZ Bank CEO Shane Elliott says he is "disturbed" by reports that Qatar had been rebuffed in order to protect the profits of Qantas.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, QATAR AIRWAYS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED – ASX QAN, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Drones a growing threat to security

Original article by Robyn Ironside
The Australian – Page: 5 : 18-Jul-19

Data from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau shows that it received 121 reports of incidents involving drones in the first five months of 2019, including 68 near-encounters with manned aircraft. Michelle Bennetts of Airservices Australia has told a conference in Canberra that there is the potential for drones to be used by criminals or as weapons in terrorist attacks. She noted that the Asia-Pacific region is expected to become the biggest market for remotely piloted aircraft systems within five years.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SAFETY BUREAU, AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF UNMANNED SYSTEMS