The decision by Qantas management to move to unilaterally terminate its longstanding enterprise bargaining agreement with its international long-haul cabin crew is deeply disappointing and I understand the distress this is causing you and your colleagues.

While it is well understood the pandemic has had a huge financial impact on our national carrier, simply cutting pay and conditions cannot be the only way back to profitability.

Qantas has received significant taxpayer support over the course of the pandemic, including JobKeeper and their workforce has made incredible sacrifices and demonstrated great bravery when they went into COVID hotspots to repatriate stranded Australians.

Moving to terminate the longstanding enterprise agreement and putting workers back on the minimum standard sends a poor message to the many women and men who have served the national carrier over many years and who have suffered so much during the pandemic.

Labor strongly urges Qantas to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with its longstanding, loyal employees.