Conservatives, christians, the often-termed ‘Freedom Community’ are celebrating a landmark ruling in which Australia’s Federal Court has ordered Qantas Airways to pay a staggering A$90 million (US$59 million) in penalties, including A$50 million to the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), for illegally sacking 1,820 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This decision, coupled with a prior A$120 million compensation order for affected workers, sends a powerful message to corporate giants: actions that undermine the dignity of workers and their God-given right to earn a living will face severe consequences.
The Federal Court’s Ruling: A Defense of Human Dignity
The Federal Court, led by Justice Michael Lee, delivered a scathing judgment against Qantas, declaring the airline’s 2020 decision to outsource 1,820 ground staff roles as a deliberate violation of the Fair Work Act. The court found that Qantas acted unlawfully on three occasions, motivated in part by a desire to suppress workers’ rights to collective bargaining and industrial action. Justice Lee emphasized the profound human cost of these actions, stating,
Work is more than a way to make a living, it is a form of continuing participation in society. To deprive someone of work illegally is to deprive a person of an aspect of their human dignity and this is not assuaged simply by mouthing expressions of regret.”
Qantas’ actions, widely seen as being driven by a pursuit of profit (estimated savings of A$100 million annually) prioritized greed over human worth, a stance that conservatives and the freedom community reject as contrary to just and ethical governance.
Qantas’ Failed Appeals and Lack of Genuine Remorse
Qantas attempted to evade accountability by appealing the Federal Court’s ruling to both the Full Court and the High Court, both of which unanimously upheld the finding that the sackings violated the Fair Work Act.
Despite these losses, Qantas initially argued that affected workers deserved no compensation, a position Justice Lee criticized as lacking genuine contrition.
He noted that the airline’s public expressions of regret were undermined by its “unrelenting and aggressive litigation strategy” and failure to provide testimony from senior leaders present during the 2020 decision, such as then-CEO Alan Joyce.
The court’s skepticism about Qantas’ apology, delivered by Chief People Officer Catherine Walsh, who was not employed by Qantas at the time of the sackings, highlights a broader issue of corporate accountability. Justice Lee remarked that Qantas’ regret seemed more about reputational damage than genuine remorse for the harm inflicted on workers.
The Workers’ Plight and the Union’s Fight
The TWU, representing the sacked workers, fought a five-year legal battle, describing Qantas’ actions as “the biggest case of illegal sackings in Australian corporate history.” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine called the decision to dismiss a “loyal workforce” appalling, emphasizing the profound human toll, including “relationship breakdowns, mental anguish, and financial burden.”
The union sought a maximum penalty of A$121 million to deter future corporate misconduct, arguing that Qantas exploited the pandemic as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to boost profits at the expense of workers.
The court ultimately imposed a A$90 million penalty, with A$50 million allocated to the TWU and the remaining A$40 million to be distributed at a later date. Additionally, Qantas agreed to pay A$120 million into a compensation fund, administered by Maurice Blackburn, to address the economic and non-economic losses of the 1,820 affected workers.
For conservatives, this ruling affirms the principle that businesses must respect workers’ rights to fair treatment and collective bargaining, which align with the values of personal responsibility and community welfare.
A Parallel Case: The Fight for Personal Freedom
In a related case, New Zealand pilot Philip Tighe-Umbers won an Employment Court case against Jetconnect, a Qantas subsidiary, after being unjustly sacked for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine. The court ruled that Jetconnect’s refusal to grant Tighe-Umbers unpaid leave and subsequent termination were unjustified, highlighting the overreach of corporate mandates during the pandemic.
For the freedom community’, this case is a rallying cry against coercive policies that infringe on personal choice and bodily autonomy, Christians viewed it through the lens of religious liberty and the right to act according to conscience (Romans 14:5-6), especially when mandates conflict with deeply held beliefs. The victory underscores the importance of defending individual freedoms against corporate and governmental overreach, a cause that resonates with conservative values of limited authority and personal responsibility.
A Call to Uphold Dignity and Freedom
The Qantas case and the Tighe-Umbers ruling serve as powerful reminders of the need to protect human dignity and individual liberty in the face of corporate greed and overreach. For conservatives, these cases highlight the importance of holding powerful institutions accountable to fair labour practices and respecting workers’ rights. For Christians, they reflect the biblical call to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8), ensuring that no one is stripped of their God-given dignity through unlawful actions. Freedom fighters see these victories as a stand against systems that prioritize profit or compliance over human worth and autonomy.
As Qantas faces the consequences of its actions, CEO Vanessa Hudson acknowledged the “genuine hardship” caused.
The A$90 million penalty and A$120 million compensation fund are being viewed as steps toward justice, though not a ful restoration of the livelihoods and dignity lost. Conservatives, Christians, and freedom fighters have been calling for policies that protect workers, uphold personal freedoms, and ensure corporations act with integrity. This includes supporting robust labour laws, defending conscience rights, and promoting a culture that values life and liberty above profit.
The Federal Court’s ruling against Qantas is being held up as a triumph for justice, affirming that no corporation is above the law when it violates workers’ rights and human dignity, while the parallel victory of Philip Tighe-Umbers reinforces the fight for personal freedom against what are being proven to be unjust mandates.
