Classic virtue signaling that few left of far right on the political spectrum will publicly call out for fear of racism aura and the cancel culture, but that many passengers of Qantas will quietly not be happy with.
Aboriginal, Caucasian, Indonesian, South East Asian, Melanesian descent, we are all inarguably going down in absolute equality in an aging 2001 Boeing 737-838 if Qantas doesn't up its Capex.
Whilst Qantas supports an Indigenous Voice, it cut services and seats to Mparntwe and Yulara by 30,000 in February 2023, 60,000 in a year in total, because they simply were not profitable enough routes - just as it announced big profits. Last figures I saw Qantas employed 1.4% Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders People, whilst 3.2% of the Australian population identified as such. Qantas should perhaps up its own employment game before wading into identity politics so overtly.
Businesses recognising, engaging and being mindful of First Nations people in their business & other activity and employment particularly, is commendable. But telling Aussies how to vote in a democratic referendum on their constitution as a business entity is overstepping and looking at the polls going to be a net negative for Qantas.
Qantas passengers who are going to vote yes, will still just vote yes irrespective of Qantas. Qantas recognition of First Nations people already adequately on display, its not like any passengers were not flying with them if Qantas didn't do this. Its not like Qantas is going to gain more business on this very public message. Many passengers however, who are going to vote no, and that now looks like the majority, will be bothered by this public proclamation and stance. Joyce really has learnt nothing from Scotty from marketing. In his defence, Joyce's heartfelt sincerity on this will be as keen as his eagerness to signal his and therefore the company stance in the Voice referendum, but he didn't think the business ramifications through yet again. The brand takes another tumble in the eyes of some 47% of Aussies according to polls for wading into a matter, that for them as is their democratic right to decide and nothing to do with Qantas.
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(20min delay)