Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I don't normally read things in here too often, but I'm going to break that habit today; I'm going to change it. I want to proudly read from a media release from Monday 18 August from the Transport Workers Union. It said:

The TWU welcomed today's Federal Court ruling that Qantas will be penalised $90 million—the largest employer penalty in Australian corporate history—for illegally sacking and outsourcing over 1800 workers, signalling the decision as a moment of justice for loyal workers who'd loved their jobs at the airline.

The judgment, marking the end of a David and Goliath five-year battle is, according to the TWU, the final vindication for workers whose decision to fight the case was derided and mocked by Qantas management from day one.

The penalty on Qantas follows an earlier Federal Court decision on compensation to affected workers, which led to the establishment of a $120 million fund—

on top of the $90 million penalty—

to compensate them for economic loss and hurt and suffering. Many suffered financial stress, family breakdowns and mental illness as a result of the outsourcing, and have endured a further 5 years of distress at being discredited by Qantas which argued throughout that they were wrong to challenge it.

Before I wrap up, I want to send my sincere congratulations to those members of the TWU who fought tooth and nail when facing adversity, when everyone was against them, and who put up the millions of dollars to fight this disgraceful case from that Mr Joyce led enterprise. I'm being really tame at the moment, but I'm going to seek five minutes next week to tell the Senate what I really think about Mr Joyce. Strap in; it's going to be a beauty.