Barnaby Joyce has criticised QantasLink’s decision to wind back its maintenance operations at Tamworth Airport, calling it a “classic example of how when a market is over-incentivised regional Australia gets ripped off.”
“Every time a Qantas plane lands in regional Australia they welcome you to country, while taking away jobs from regional and moving them to Sydney is not very welcoming,” Barnaby Joyce said in a statement today.
Joyce yesterday questioned the value of the government assistance Qantas received during COVID, and Qantas’ use of its dominant market position to stifle competition.
“After the taxpayer forking out billions of dollars to keep Qantas afloat during COVID, after both Bonza and Rex being sent either out the back door or put into critical care by reason of exacerbation of Qantas’ market power, after Qantas holding slots into Sydney whether they use them or not, tying up the cash cow Sydney to Brisbane, Sydney to Melbourne market, they are now flying out to take jobs out of the regional maintenance depot in Tamworth,” Joyce said.
“Is there a bit of history as to why there is a big white kangaroo on the tail end of your planes? Why not have a big white Alan Joyce painted on the tail instead or a big white dollar sign?” Joyce asked.
“The way you treat regional Australia in your prices, destroying competition, and removing jobs in our areas will be remembered,” Joyce said.
The Australian Manufacturing Worker’s Union, which represents the QantasLink staff affected by the move, has been disappointed by the “shock announcement”.
In a statement released today, the AMWU said that the announcement comes at a time of major upheavals in the airline industry, including Rex.
“We’re disappointed by yesterday’s announcement,” AMWU NSW/ACT Acting State Secretary Brad Pidgeon said.
“This closure has an impact on our members and the local community as well, considering Eastern Australian Airlines has a history in Tamworth spanning 75 years.”
The statement also contained a reminder that there are still outstanding matters before the Fair Work Commission in regards to the Enterprise Agreement for Eastern Australia Airlines, a Qantas subsidiary that operates under the QantasLink name in Tamworth, and that the AMWU is still “working closely” with all involved.
“We’re saddened by the broader trends we’re seeing within the Australian airline industry, but we want to ensure our members at QantasLink and beyond that we are on their side,” Pidgeon continued.
“Our members are skilled, hard-working, and employable, and their work in keeping planes in the sky is critical to Australian society.
“We will do everything we can to ensure they aren’t left behind.”
State Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has also criticised the move.
Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb issued a statement expressing shock at the sudden closure, calling it a “significant blow” to the local aviation industry.
“My first thoughts are with the employees and contractors who now need to find other work,” Webb said.
“It’s sad and disappointing to see a long-term business in our region shut up shop and turn away from a community that has been loyal and supportive to it for many years.”
QantasLink currently conducts mid-life heavy maintenance on Q200 and Q300 Dash-8 aircraft at Tamworth Airport, which included major overhauls and refurbishment like engine replacement.
Qantas first started maintenance in Tamworth in the early 1990s, with significant expansion of the facilities to make it capable of heavy maintenance.
QantasLink is phasing out the 200 and 300 series aircraft in favour of new Q400 aircraft which were purchased second-hand and have already had the heavy mid-life maintenance performed by their previous owner, negating the need for Tamworth’s services.
Any servicing that the Q400 aircraft need will be done in Queensland.
QantasLink has stated that it will offer five new jobs for the 51 jobs lost in Tamworth, with positions being made available to apply for elsewhere in the country.
Top image: a Q300 in the Tamworth Maintenance shed (Qantas)
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