Qantas chairman Richard Goyder announces early retirement

The Qantas chairman has announced his retirement despite recently telling a senate inquiry he didn’t intend to step aside.

The transport union has called on Qantas boss Richard Goyder to immediately step aside after announcing his early retirement.

Mr Goyer will retire as Qantas chairman before the airline’s annual general meeting in late-2024 as part of a wider refresh.

The 63-year-old came under fire after he reportedly accepted a salary increase during a turbulent time for the airline.

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said Mr Goyder stood to earn another $750,000 before retiring.

“Why should he get that amount when he has presided over the illegal sacking of 17,000 Qantas workers,” Mr Kaine said.

“He has the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission breathing down his neck and class actions at his doorstep.

“We want Richard Goyder gone and we want him gone right now so that we can rebuild the service standard.”

Mr Kaine said Mr Goyder had “realised he should not be chairman” after only weeks ago rebuffing calls for his departure.

“It’s taken (Mr Goyder) this long to realise he has presided over the most spiteful corporate dictatorship in Australian history,” he said.

“The board needs to be recast. There should be a worker representative so that we can avoid the type of situation we’ve just seen.

Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce retired early in September. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

“It’s time for renewal and that cannot start while the chair that presided over the downfall of a great Australia carrier is still in that position.”

While not calling for an immediate departure, calls for “renewal” were echoed by the Australian and International Pilots Association.

“AIPA has previously stated that the Qantas board needs a reset,” president Tony Lucas said.

“So we note today’s announcement as the start of that process and hope it will help facilitate the renewal of our great airline.

“Obviously, we would prefer things to move more quickly, but we acknowledge that at least now we are heading in the right direction.”

Mr Goyder is understood to have been paid about $2,500,000 since taking over as chairman in 2018 after a year on the board.

His departure comes after he told a Senate inquiry he would not step aside following the departure of former chief executive Alan Joyce.

Mr Joyce was replaced by Qantas stalwart Vanessa Hudson in September as criticism mounted over the blocking of Qatar airlines flights.

Non-executive director Michael L’Estrange will also retire at this year’s AGM, with a further two members to step aside in February 2024.

Three new directors will also stand for election at this year, including Ms Hudson, Doug Parker, and Dr Heather Smith.

Mr Goyder said the Qantas board acknowledged the “significant reputational and customer service issues” facing Qantas.

“Qantas has gone through an incredibly difficult period since our operation was grounded during the pandemic,” he said.

“The recovery has not been easy, and mistakes were made. We again apologise for those times where we got it wrong.

“I have always sought to act in the best interests of Qantas.

“Measured and orderly succession at Board level will support the important work underway led by Vanessa and her new management team.

“The (Qantas) Group is in a very strong position to overcome its current challenges and deliver for all its stakeholders in the years ahead.”

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder told a senate inquiry in September he would not step aside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In a statement, Qantas said that once the new directors are in place the board is expected to have an average tenure of about three years.

The airline said the change would provide a “balance of fresh leadership with necessary continuity”, but faced pushback from unions.

The Transport Workers Union slammed Mr Goyder’s early exit as “an attempt to retire in dignity after presiding over illegal conduct”.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine urged Mr Goyder to “follow” Mr Joyce and depart this year, ahead of next year’s planned departure.

“This announcement is an attempt by Goyder to leave in a dignified manner with another year’s pay in his pocket, after presiding over the largest case of illegal sackings in Australian history,” Mr Kaine said.

“We need to put an end to illegal conduct being blindly rubber-stamped by a board that fails to scrutinise the CEO, who is treated as their equal by having a place on the board.

“A fresh start for Qantas governance requires a new board composition that excludes the CEO and embeds a worker representative to avoid the repeat of colossal errors of judgment being repeated.”

Labor senator Tony Sheldon, who has previously clashed with Mr Joyce, also called for Mr Goyder to leave his post earlier than planned.

“Meaningful change would be to immediately compensate the 1700 illegally sacked ground staff and offer to employ any worker that wants their job back,” Mr Sheldon said.

Mr Joyce was replaced by Qantas stalwart Vanessa Hudson. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“They should also support closing the Qantas labour hire loophole. Over their tenure, Joyce and Goyder have outsourced much of the workforce to 38 labour hire companies and subsidiaries in order to drive down wages.

“This would go some way in repairing the long term damage to Qantas caused by Joyce and Goyder.”

Qantas has also faced recent criticism over allegations it colluded with the federal government to block increased flights from competitor Qatar Airlines.

In September, the Australian and International Pilots Association called on Mr Goyder to step down in a latter to CEO Vanessa Hudson.

The union called for a “cultural reset” and described revelations that Mr Goyder accepted an $100,000 pay rise as “galling”, amid a pay freeze.

Mr Goyder nonetheless backed his own tenure, telling the Senate inquiry: “Major shareholders are very strongly supportive of me staying.

“I would also argue that my history in business has been one of high ethics, looking to create value for all our stakeholders,” he said.

“I’ve navigated a company through the Global Financial Crisis, chaired Qantas through the most existential crisis we’ve ever had as an airline.

“Right now, the major shareholders and the board feel that I’m the best person to chair the board to navigate us through the current situation.”