Once great and trusted Aussie brand, Qantas now almost an embarrassment

Qantas was once a brand Australians trusted and respected; it is now almost an embarrassment (“Qantas reputation losing altitude”, 1/8). It has put profits before people – the very people who provided life support to the airline during the dark days of the pandemic.

It is little wonder that the airline enjoys a political tailwind when every federal MP and senator – of every stripe – has access to the Chairman’s Lounge as a matter of course.

But as Eric Johnston submits, there is finally pushback (“Culture of arrogance at Qantas will be its undoing”, 1/9). The ACCC is suing the company for alleged “deceptive conduct”.

There is no more alarming circumstance for a public company than to have accusations of malfeasance hanging over its head.

Kim Keogh, East Fremantle, WA

There is no question Alan Joyce has been a polarising figure during his time as the Qantas CEO. For shareholders he has arguably done a good job but most Australians are likely to remember him as the man who destroyed the high regard and pride with which they once held the airline.

The loyalty of tens of thousands of staff and millions of customers appeared to count for nothing as Joyce took every opportunity to maximise profits, transforming Qantas into one of the least trusted and most unpopular companies in the country.

It is well and truly time for a change in leadership and I wish the incoming CEO well as she attempts to restore trust in our once great airline.

Richard Tainsh, Potts Point, NSW

Power dystopia

Australia’s energy security is in serious peril at the hands of the Albanese government. The fixed and uncompromising ideological position Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen have on renewable energy spells doom for reliable and uninterrupted power supply in most areas of Australia in the coming decade. The government’s net-zero-based agenda, no doubt aided by certain state leaders, notably Victoria’s Daniel Andrews, to phase out all coal-fired electricity by stealth, with no commonsense-infused regard for energy demand realities, appears to be as nefarious as it is stupid and shortsighted. It cannot be disputed that without any coal-fired electricity at all, and with only renewable energy sources, there is going to be a lot of blackouts from here on in. Besides householders, imagine the devastating impacts that prolonged and frequent power out­ages will have on industry. This is the kind of dystopian energy future the Albanese government is setting Australia up to be lumbered with.

Tim Badrick, Laidley, Qld

Good on Claire Lehmann for asking for some overdue honesty from Energy Minister Chris Bowen (“Honesty must be platform of energy policy, Mr Bowen”). Most importantly, honesty should also be demanded of our most recent leaders. And on the mission-critical issues of climate and energy, it is only Tony Abbott who has told it like it is, towering over his three successors. Axing the carbon tax, reducing the Renewable Energy Target, declaring in the Bowen Basin that coal is “good for humanity” and shining a light on the climate schemes that were “socialism masquerading as environmentalism”, Abbott provided crystal clarity. Indeed his “vision thing” was for Australia to be an affordable energy superpower – using our abundant coal, gas and nuclear reserves to the benefit of the nation and the wider world.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

Water torture

While the Albanese government concentrates on the voice to parliament, our farmers continue to struggle with a raft of its decisions affecting their livelihoods as well as the livelihoods of Australians in rural communities who rely on farmers for their prosperity. Everything from the push to renewables without an effective transition strategy and including construction of transmission lines, to heritage acts, operating costs, live sheep exports and changes to industrial laws are affecting our nation’s food producers. But the broken promise announced by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek, who will buy water from farmers and abandon the socio-economic neutrality test promised by her fellow cabinet member, Tony Burke, must surely be the last straw. Legislation to enact this policy, which will go down in history as one of the most anti-food producing acts from any government since Federation, is expected to be presented to parliament next week.

Sadly, it is so unnecessary because the government has enough water for the Murray-Darling Basin environment, and if it wants to recover more this can be achieved with projects that support farming and the environment. Additionally, estimates to buy the intended water range up to $20bn. When Australians cannot get fresh Aussie-grown produce at the supermarket without paying an arm and a leg, they may realise they have been a victim of an Albanese con job.

Laurie Beer, Mayrung, NSW