Virgin Australia boss Paul Scurrah on profit, loss and the ultimate reality

Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects we're told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics they're given. This week he talks to Paul Scurrah. The 51-year-old has been a leader in Australian transport, logistics, travel and aviation for more than 20 years. He became CEO of Virgin Australia in March.

"I could be accused of being too soft, but I don’t think there’s any penalty for loving your kids too much."Credit: Paul Harris

POLITICS

Looking back, what personal life experiences have informed your politics and your values?

My father was a merchant seaman and, later in his life, a wharfie in Melbourne. My mother worked to keep the family fed and educated. It’s fair to say we have very strong working-class roots. I also was heavily involved in sport, where you learnt if you were going to make it, you had to do all the work. It was an introduction to not being a victim and taking opportunities as they come.

Did your parents discuss party politics?

Mum played her cards close to her chest. Dad was pretty transparent. Being a waterside worker and heavily reliant on the union movement, it was obvious who he supported. He was a very big fan of Gough Whitlam, and later on, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.

Do you have any political heroes?

It’s hard to go past Bob Hawke. He was so progressive, as was Gough Whitlam to provide free education, creating an opportunity for people – no matter their background – to be a success. But later on, I also looked at the progress Jeff Kennett made for Victoria and found myself right in the centre.

Whether they like it or not, international airlines have to engage with geopolitical issues, such as recognising Taiwan and the deportation of asylum seekers. Are these challenging to deal with?

We support things like good mental health, the fight against domestic violence, and the role airlines can play in improving the environmental footprint. My natural reaction is to not be overly controversial. I see us as an airline for all people.

RELIGION

Did you grow up with religion?

No. I was christened at the Church of England, and would only really attend church for weddings or funerals.

So more culturally Christian?

I identify as a Christian – I was christened as such; I identify as one – but I don’t practise a religion. I am very open-minded to the concept of faith, though. Something I’ve learnt through meditation and spirituality – and something in Buddhism I align with – is the idea of an inner being and an outer being.

Meditation, spirituality and Buddhism. Where did you encounter these things?

I’m a curious person. I like to read books, and I once read a book called Our Ultimate Reality. It gives a background into how religions in the world started. I found it fascinating, and liked what Buddhism stood for. But I don’t practise it, other than meditating on a regular basis.

Lead me through your meditation practice.

At my best I do it every day. At my worst I do it once a week. [Laughs] I’ve found it very useful to use mindfulness apps, and I’ve now got a headband that monitors your brainwaves when you meditate. Meditating is a huge skill to master. You don’t always get there, but when you do, it’s a wonderful feeling.

The opposite of faith is doubt. Are CEOs even allowed to doubt themselves? Do you?

Being a CEO can be a lonely existence, but you are allowed to doubt yourself and show your vulnerabilities. I think that allows you to deal with them even better.

Do you have any mantras that you live by?

That you need to care strongly for people. And that you need to treat people the way you would like to be treated in return.

DEATH

Virgin Australia has posted seven annual losses in a row. To what extent is your job to rescue it from the brink of death?

Oh, it’s like what Mark Twain once said: that rumours of our death have been greatly exaggerated. It’s more probably akin to going to have our health check and learning we’ve got a bit of a spare tyre and our blood pressure is higher than it should be. We need to take some remedial action to get the cost base down. Once we do that we’ll be a very healthy, profitable business.

You need to cut 750 jobs to help the airline save $75 million. Does that weigh on you?

It always weighs heavily when you’re affecting people’s livelihoods.

What personal losses have affected you the most?

Definitely the loss of my father in 1992. He was only 50; I was 24. He chose to live a life where he indulged and enjoyed himself to the nth degree, and that ultimately caught up with him. He was always – towards the end of his life – telling us to take the life lessons he’d given us, to look at his actions … and make sure we did the opposite. [Laughs]

How has losing your dad young informed your approach to fatherhood and your two daughters?

In some ways, you overcompensate. Some of the uncertainty in my life growing up is stuff you try to shield your daughters from. I could be accused of being too soft, but I don’t think there’s any penalty for loving your kids too much.

Where would you like to be buried or have your ashes scattered?

Whistler Ski Resort in British Columbia, Canada, my happiest place in the world. We’ve been going there every Christmas for more than 10 years, and every time we leave we just can’t wait to get back.

You don’t mind people skiing over your remains?

I think I’d mind less than they would, if they knew what they were skiing over.

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