What Stops a Nation? A Horse Race or an Airline?
Tuesday is Melbourne Cup Day, the “Race That Stops A Nation”. I don’t know why any more – most of the runners are not Australian horses! Today, however, there is something much bigger stopping our nation: Qantas. The national airline, the one that still calls Australia home!
Reading The Age, which is carrying several articles and a live Twitter feed, Qantas didn’t see fit to inform the Government of the plans to ground the airline. Qantas gounding seen hurting airline and economy is one headline.
It came as an embarrassment for Prime Minister Julia Gillard who was hosting a summit of Commonwealth leaders in the western city of Perth, 17 of them booked to fly out on Sunday with Qantas.
This is big. Not only are many of the Commonwealth leaders stranded, the impact on the Cup will be dramatic.
Who is at fault here? I don’t know. I’ve had my own issues to concentrate on of late and to be honest I’ve not been keeping up with the situation other than catch snatches of commentary on the radio whilst driving to work.
I DO know this is not good for our international reputation and I do know the government should have been keeping a closer eye on the situation. To all those involved, perhaps it is time to find a common ground for the benefit of our nation. I’m not suggesting the unions back down if their claims are valid (are they?) nor am I suggesting the airline cave in either. I am suggesting there has to be a common ground you can all reach.
Reach it now, before we look too damn stupid on the global stage. We have one of the world’s strongest, if not THE strongest, economies at the moment. But we let this happen? How did this happen?
Quizzically Musing 
Nationalise Qantas. Can’t leave it to Joyce to stuff it up any further.
mymatejoechip
October 30, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Once upon a time it was nationalised. I used to work for Australia Airlines. The Government should have known about this action. Or will we find out later that they DID know? Who knows what goes on in the corridors of power these days?
Team Oyeniyi
October 30, 2011 at 5:04 pm
This is going to hurt our tourism industry so, so badly… I can’t believe this happened.
Sheeple Liberator
October 30, 2011 at 10:32 am
It is pretty amazing stuff. As far as I can see – stubborn people on both sides not trying hard enough to find common ground! Simplistic view on my behalf, perhaps, but sometimes it IS the simple perspective people miss entirely.
Team Oyeniyi
October 30, 2011 at 10:36 am