Qld politics: Govt urged to swap Qantas travel for Virgin

Our state politicians love their Qantas perks, now Queensland-based Virgin has dared them to switch – and save taxpayers millions. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Three-quarters of the Queensland government’s travel is done with Qantas.

Virgin has dared Queensland MPs to give up their Qantas perks and travel with it instead – in a move the airline says would save taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

While members of State Parliament and state bureaucrats are free to book the most suitable fare, about three-quarters of the government’s near-$70m annual commercial airfares bill is spent with Qantas – despite Virgin saying it is often up to $100 cheaper each way.

But it is understood politicians are not keen to book on Virgin – despite the government having a stake in the airline – because they are addicted to Qantas points and status credits, which they accrue personally even though taxpayers pay the fares.

In a submission to the federal government’s aviation green paper, Virgin Australia argued officials should make travel decisions based on the best fare of the day instead of personal airline preference.

Now, the airline says it would welcome the Queensland Government undertaking a similar review to ensure value for taxpayers.

“Virgin Australia believes value for money should be the overarching consideration when booking government-funded travel,” a spokesman said.

Virgin Australia is based in Brisbane.

“We understand the importance of reliability for government travel arrangements.

“For the past three consecutive months, Virgin Australia has been the country’s most punctual and reliable major domestic airline.”

Virgin has also noted that seeing as the Queensland Government has a stake in the airline, MPs should be flying with its “home team in the skies”.

“We employ approximately 8000 people, over 3000 of whom are Queenslanders,” the spokesman said.

“In 2024, Virgin Australia operated more than 74,000 flights to and from Queensland, representing over 11 million seats, reinforcing the state’s vital role as a key hub in our network.”

Travel reports lodged last month reveals the domestic travel bill just for ministers and their staff – both Labor and the LNP – totalled more than $1m for the half-year to December 31. Among departments, it is understood the Department of Justice is the highest spender.

Thirteen Ministers and Opposition frontbenchers have been gifted membership of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge. Ten have the Virgin Beyond lounge access.

A spokesman for Premier David Crisafulli said there were no plans to amend government travel policies.

Originally published as Qld politics: Govt urged to swap Qantas travel for Virgin