Federal Opposition Taps In As States Fight Over Virgin Australia

Queensland and New South Wales are fighting over struggling airline Virgin Australia, as it seeks debt funding to stay afloat amid the economic downturn caused by the CCP virus.

Battle lines were drawn when NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her government would consider all options, including luring Virgin and its subsidiary Tiger Airways to Sydney—despite the upset to Queensland-based employees.

“Were thinking about what we can do to keep as many jobs going now, but also how we can actually start recovering the economy during this time as well,” she told reporters.

“If that means encouraging businesses to set up shop in NSW, if it means bringing jobs to our state, well of course … consider all those things.”

She said her governments responsibility is to NSW. “I dont apologise for that,” she said.

Queensland minister Cameron Dick is just as serious about protecting Queenslands share of Virgins 15,000 employees.

He warned NSW to “back off on stealing Virgin,” saying “we will stop at nothing” to keep the carrier based in Brisbane.

“New South Wales might want to bring a pea-shooter to the fight; we will bring a bazooka and were not afraid to use it,” he said.

“At a time when their jobs hang in the balance, the 1,200 Queensland families who depend on those head office jobs should not have to face the threat of being forced to move to Sydney,” said Dick.

Brisbane has been home to Virgins headquarters ever since former Labor Premier Peter Beattie provided $11 million in incentives for the airline to set up shop back in 2000.

Federal Perspective

The Morrison government has remained firm on its position that Virgins commercial discussions are for its board and management, and not for the government to interfere.

But federal shadow opposition treasurer Labors Jim Chalmers suggested to reporters that the federal treasurer was ignoring the plight of Virgins employees.

“[Unemployment lines will] be longer than necessary because the government refuses to step up and support 15,000 workers at Virgin airlines who are going through a very uncertain period while the government leaves them hanging,” he said on April 20.

Earlier that day, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told Sunrise on Seven Network that he wanted to see Virgin continue to survive, but that the Australian government doesnt want to own an airline.

He pointed out that former Labor PriRead More – Source