Qantas flights for Indigenous voice to parliament opponents urged in ‘spirit’ of fair go

John Anderson says new Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson should match the airline’s offer to the Yes campaign by extending free flights to the No camp.

Former Australian deputy prime minister John Anderson.

Incoming Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson is being urged to restore the airline’s damaged reputation by ensuring the national carrier matches its “offer to the Yes camp with free flights for No supporters”.

Former deputy prime minister John Anderson – a long-serving transport minister in the Howard government and leading critic of the voice to parliament – warned that Qantas had played a key role in dividing the nation by straying into the realm of social and political activism.

Mr Anderson called on Ms Hudson to go back to the drawing board and extend the same hospitality for Yes campaigners – who are receiving free flights that Qantas expects to cost up to $500,000 – to supporters of the No campaign.

“As a long-serving Australian aviation minister who is still ­frequently asked for his views on Qantas, I am concerned to see the deep reputational damage this well-known Australian company is suffering,” Mr Anderson said.

“For some years now Qantas has been seen as deeply enmeshed in social and political issues, which are often divisive.

“I believe that there has been serious overreach and that this is a significant contributor to the current plight of the airline.

“I believe that the board and the new CEO should give very serious consideration to an initial down payment on repairing that reputational damage by matching its offer to the Yes camp with free flights for No supporters in the interests of a truly informed ­debate.”

Appearing alongside then Qantas boss Alan Joyce at Sydney Airport on August 14 to celebrate the airline’s decision to display special Yes23 livery on three of its aircraft, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the company.

Alan Joyce, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Former Footballer Adam Goodes at the the launch of the Qantas 'Yes' Campaign in Sydney. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“Qantas has a long history of doing its bit to carry the nation, to lift all of us a little bit higher, both literally and figuratively,” Mr Albanese said. “There is no company in Australia that immediately says Australia, like this brand of Qantas.

“And it is in the spirit of Australia, that statement about Qantas, which defines the way that we are being uplifted.”

Mr Joyce said Qantas had taken the decision on the Yes campaign “because we believe a formal voice to government will help close the gap for First Nations people in important areas like health, education and employment”.

“These aircraft will send a message of support for a Yes vote as they travel the country.”

But Mr Anderson questioned whether the Qantas motto, “Spirit of Australia”, remained an accurate reflection of the airline.

“Surely the true ‘spirit of Australia’ would recognise that Australians really do value a fair and balanced debate,” he said.

“Extraordinarily, the Yes team acknowledged some time ago that support from elites was not playing well and indicated that they would change tack.

“Somehow much of the ­corporate sector seems to have missed this memo as evidenced by 14 out of the 20 biggest ASX companies contributing support and money.

“I believe this is contributing to the serious divisions we are now seeing in Australia ­generally, and the deep divide over the referendum in ­particular.”