Bill Shorten blasts plan to renationalise Qantas

A well-timed zinger about the embattled national carrier has left a Today show host in stitches.

A zinger about a call to renationalise Qantas has left Today show host Karl Stefanovic in stitches.

The embattled airline is facing mounting backlash over record cancellations, flight disruptions and lost bags.

Greens transport spokeswoman Elizabeth Watson-Brown will use a statement in the House of Representatives to urge the Prime Minister to return the airline back to the public.

But Government Services Minister Bill Shorten quickly dismantled the idea when asked on Tuesday morning.

“I don’t know what the Greens have been smoking,” he joked.

Bill Shorten has taken issue with the Greens plan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

“You’re not going to put Humpty back together again. This is crazy-nomics from the Greens. If you had a billion dollars to buy an airline, I’d rather pay down government debt.

“Would I like Qantas to treat their workforce better? Yes. Do I want them to not cancel as many flights? Yes. But I don’t want to buy an airline.

“It’s not on my top 10 bucket list things in government.”

Stefanovic, who had visibly lost it, then faux innocently asked: “Bill, what are they smoking?”

“That’s the mystery,” Mr Shorten quipped back with a knowing smile.

Qantas has been criticised over its track record. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Qantas was privatised in 1992 as part of the then Hawke-Keating government’s move to sell off major government assets.

But the Greens MP will say that the national carrier‘s recent string of disruption and delays prove privatisation has been “very bad” for Australians.

“Cheaper flights for customers, better outcomes for everyone. That was the mantra. And it was nonsense,” Ms Watson-Brown will say.

A spokesman for Qantas defended the airline and assured the “high standards people rightly expect from Qantas” were steadily returning.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has been under pressure to step aside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“We know the tough decisions that Qantas had to take during the pandemic, and in response to tough competitive pressures before that, were difficult for many,” they said.

“We know our services during the return to flying have been impacted by cancellations, delays and misplaced bags. Airlines the world over are having similar – or worse – experiences as they recover from Covid.

“We sincerely apologise to our customers.”

It comes as Australians have been left stranded in Bali after Jetstar flights were cancelled.

Since the start of September, flights between Australia and Bali have been canned every day due to engineering issues.

Mr Shorten queried if Qantas’ sister airline was suffering with a case of “Bali belly”.

“I feel for the families though and the kids. The one job an airline’s got is to take off and land. These sorts of cancellations on a repeated basis is very poor form,” he said.