Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 2 November 2011:

In regard to the decision made by Qantas on 29 October 2011 to lock out its staff and ground its fleet: (1) How many meetings has the Minister or the Minister's office had with representatives of the Transport Workers Union, the Australian Licensed Engineers Association or the Australian and International Pilots Association in the past 12 months, and for each meeting what was the date, time and who was present. (2) Can details be provided of the damage to Qantas caused by the union's campaign of industrial action or any intention to cause damage as outlined by any of these unions. (3) Was the Minister or the Minister's office ever informed of the union's intention to continue industrial disputation?

Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) I am advised that Minister Evans was in regular contact with all parties to the dispute, as stated in media interviews and public statements prior to 29 October 2011.

(2) No. Qantas has made some statements about the financial impact of protected industrial action by employees on its business, however, the Department is not in a position to verify these statements. Officials of the Transport Workers Union, the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association and the Australian and International Pilots Association have made statements about the objectives of their protected industrial action against Qantas. However, the Department is not in a position to verify these statements.

(3) Officials of the Transport Workers Union, the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association and the Australian and International Pilots Association made public statements at various times about taking protected industrial action against Qantas.