Palaszczuk must maintain promise to Virgin workers

THE LNP has always supported a second major domestic airline in Australia to support regional tourism operators, Queensland jobs and lower airfares for consumers through increased competition in the market.

While the financial struggles of Virgin Airlines have been welldocumented, we were always confident that private sector investors would rescue the carrier, which has now happened following news that Bain Capital will be the successful bidder.

A ministerial media release on June 28 from the Treasurer notes that, “Queenslanders will now also own a strategic equity stake in the airline”. That means the Queensland Government will be a part owner of Virgin Airlines from as early as August and will be responsible for any future commercial decision made by the new ownership team.

While we welcome news that the future of Virgin Airlines has been secured, it was very concerning to see media reports over the weekend that the new ownership team is expected to transform the carrier into a low-cost airline that will cut staff, aircraft and unprofitable routes.

News that 3000 to 4000 Virgin workers are expected to lose their job flies in the face of every commitment the Palaszczuk Labor Government has made regarding its $200 million ownership bid.

Given your ownership of the new airline, I am asking that you guarantee that all Queenslandbased workers and contractors for Virgin Airlines will keep their jobs and that every existing regional air route is maintained.

Queensland taxpayers should expect nothing less, given your financial commitment to the carrier. One Virgin job loss is one too many.

On the back of the announcement from Qantas last week that thousands of workers were set to lose their jobs, it would be a hammer blow to our economy, particularly in regional areas if Virgin Airlines reduced their economic contribution to Queensland under the new ownership team. That will cost Queensland jobs and increase some regional airfares for consumers, representing a broken promise by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

Virgin Airline workers were promised an economic future and that is the expectation that Queensland taxpayers now expect you to fulfil.

DEB FRECKLINGTON, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION