Overview

• Justice Michael Lee has reserved his decision on the penalty Qantas must pay for unlawfully outsourcing 1,820 ground workers in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Qantas seeks a penalty between $40 million and $80 million, arguing the decision was a 'mistake' and not intentional, and highlighting internal reforms to prevent future breaches.
• The Transport Workers Union (TWU) is advocating for the maximum penalty of $121 million, emphasizing the need for deterrence against corporate misconduct.
• The Federal Court previously ruled that Qantas violated the Fair Work Act, partly motivated by a desire to prevent industrial action, and ordered $120 million in compensation to affected workers.
• The case underscores broader issues of corporate accountability and labor rights, with Qantas having received $2.7 billion in government subsidies during the pandemic.