The Greens are calling on the Government to make sure that the security of the workforce of the major airlines is prioritised in the bailout, and to give taxpayers an equity stake in the airlines.
As stated by Greens transport spokesperson Senator Janet Rice:
“These two major airlines have spent a fortune on share buy-backs to prop up shareholder value. They have paid out exorbitant CEO salaries and both companies have successfully minimised their tax over many years.”
“The first priority of the government should be the airlines keeping their workforce in place as we go through this crisis. Workers should not be the victims of cost-cutting in the bad times while shareholders and executives lived it up during the good times.
“If the Federal Government is going to bail out these airlines, it should be done by taking an equity stake, so that the community gets some return on their investment.”
“Keeping airlines afloat is obviously important for transport across our wide country. But this needs to be done in a way that ensures a fair outcome for workers and taxpayers, rather than another handout for corporate investors.”
“All public support should be conditional on the airlines guaranteeing current jobs with the same wages and conditions. We must do everything we can to protect the tens of thousands of employees of these two companies.”
