The TWU's millions: How much will sacked Qantas workers get?
The TWU's National Council, made up of elected officials and rank-and-file members, is expected to meet 'in due course' to discuss how best to deploy the funds towards advancing campaigns across road and aviation sectors.
The $90 million in penalties announced on Monday, along with the $120 million in workers compensation agreed to last year, combined are worth more than five times the union's total revenue of $39.5 million across all its branches.
The penalty judgment handed down this week includes $50 million awarded directly to the union and a further $40 million that is intended as pay for the workers, but that will be decided through a later legal process.
The TWU told the court the balance of any penalty paid to it 'would be used to advance the workplace rights, pay, conditions, wellbeing and welfare of transport workers consistently with' union rules and the Fair Work Act. Justice Michael Lee characterised the promise as having 'dubious utility' because it requires the TWU only to obey an aspect of the law.
Former Qantas baggage handler Damien Pollard said the time it was taking to receive compensation was difficult.
'Of course it's frustrating to all of us how long this process has taken,' Pollard said. 'The last five years has felt exceptionally long. There have been relationship breakdowns, people have had to sell their houses.'
The reality was that the blame lay on Qantas, he said. 'If Qantas had accepted its wrongdoing the first time it would not have been such a long road. But it's a huge relief to be getting to the end of it.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Bullock scores a Qantas ‘upgrade' on an economy only flight
The good people at Qantas may have removed (and reinstated) all copies of this masthead from the airline's lounges earlier this week but they are still working hard to deliver extra special service to Chairman's Lounge members. That applies even on planes such as the tiny Dash-8s, it turns out, and on routes as short as the 55-minute jaunt from Canberra to Sydney. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock was spotted on one such flight on Tuesday morning.
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
Brisbane news live: South Bank Streets Beach reopens after multiple rounds of repairs
Latest posts Latest posts 7.44am Final piece of Queen's Wharf puzzle acquired By An office tower directly opposite the entrance to the Queen's Wharf casino and hotel complex has been sold for $52 million to a real estate investment manager that last year bought the building next door. The David Longland Building at 63 George Street is home to state government departments and agencies, under a lease that lasts until April 2029. The buyer, Marquette Properties, said it had bought the property in a joint venture with Dexus. Marquette bought neighbouring Mineral House last year and has plans to turn it into student accommodation. 'The Brisbane CBD needs more offices, hotels, apartments, [and student accommodation] and this property can help unlock these opportunities and assist with the city's transformation in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics,' said managing director Toby Lewis. The corner block is part of the Priority Development Area for Queen's Wharf, meaning special planning provisions would allow for any new project to be fast-tracked and facilitated by the government. Its zoning allows for residential, hotel and commercial developments. 7.38am Showers, possible storms today By Felicity Caldwell It's set to be a rainy Thursday, with up to 30mm forecast for Brisbane today, most likely from late this morning, with a chance of a thunderstorm. Along the east coast on Thursday, between the Gold Coast and Illawarra in New South Wales, Bureau meteorologist Helen Reid said rainfall totals could be between 40 to 80mm. 'Friday will start off as a wet day along the coast, but we're likely to see the rain easing to patchy showers through the afternoon,' she said. 'This is thanks to the coastal low-pressure trough moving away from the east coast, drawing moisture and rain offshore.' Reid said isolated to scattered showers will continue in coastal areas on Saturday, with the trend easing on Sunday. 7.16am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable will enter its final day this morning, after a group of government, business and union leaders discussed tangible measures to improve Australia's lagging productivity levels. Chalmers is expected to deliver his closing remarks this afternoon. The Transport Workers' Union will be able to spend the $50 million it was awarded in the Qantas penalties case however it sees fit, say lawyers and labour specialists. So how much will sacked Qantas workers get? Health Minister Mark Butler has defended his plan to divert children with autism or developmental delay from the National Disability Insurance Scheme from mid-2027, insisting that these children won't be left out. Benjamin Netanyahu's personal attack on Anthony Albanese as 'weak' marks a new low in Australia-Israel relations. Did Netanyahu's verbal attack strike home? Just look at who defended Albanese. Israel has announced the first steps to take over Gaza City after calling up 60,000 military reservists to support the expanded operation. The new phase comes after French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Netanyahu following the Israeli leader's claim that Macron had fuelled antisemitism by announcing France's imminent recognition of Palestine. 7.15am The top stories this morning Good morning, welcome to Brisbane Times' news blog for Thursday, August 21. The forecast for Brisbane today is rain and a top temperature of 20 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: Primary vote support for the LNP has fallen almost 10 percentage points from its post-election high as MPs prepare to return for the first regular parliamentary sitting since the Crisafulli government's inaugural budget. A man has died after the Volkswagen Golf he was driving with three passengers crashed into a tree at Zillmere, in Brisbane's north, in the early hours on Thursday. Brisbane's economy has tipped $200 billion in the past year, with growth predicted to continue as the population and domestic tourism increases – but what could stem our city's growth? US singer-songwriter Chappell Roan is the biggest new name in pop right now, so when her stylist, Genesis Webb, asks you to make her an outfit out of human hair, you don't hesitate. And a cherished pandemic-era Thai pop-up is reborn at South Bank. Naga Thai was just what the city needed when it opened in 2020 as an extended pop-up at Eagle Street Pier. But the new version is even better, writes Food Editor Matt Shea.
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane news live: South Bank Streets Beach reopens after multiple rounds of repairs
Latest posts Latest posts 7.44am Final piece of Queen's Wharf puzzle acquired By An office tower directly opposite the entrance to the Queen's Wharf casino and hotel complex has been sold for $52 million to a real estate investment manager that last year bought the building next door. The David Longland Building at 63 George Street is home to state government departments and agencies, under a lease that lasts until April 2029. The buyer, Marquette Properties, said it had bought the property in a joint venture with Dexus. Marquette bought neighbouring Mineral House last year and has plans to turn it into student accommodation. 'The Brisbane CBD needs more offices, hotels, apartments, [and student accommodation] and this property can help unlock these opportunities and assist with the city's transformation in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics,' said managing director Toby Lewis. The corner block is part of the Priority Development Area for Queen's Wharf, meaning special planning provisions would allow for any new project to be fast-tracked and facilitated by the government. Its zoning allows for residential, hotel and commercial developments. 7.38am Showers, possible storms today By Felicity Caldwell It's set to be a rainy Thursday, with up to 30mm forecast for Brisbane today, most likely from late this morning, with a chance of a thunderstorm. Along the east coast on Thursday, between the Gold Coast and Illawarra in New South Wales, Bureau meteorologist Helen Reid said rainfall totals could be between 40 to 80mm. 'Friday will start off as a wet day along the coast, but we're likely to see the rain easing to patchy showers through the afternoon,' she said. 'This is thanks to the coastal low-pressure trough moving away from the east coast, drawing moisture and rain offshore.' Reid said isolated to scattered showers will continue in coastal areas on Saturday, with the trend easing on Sunday. 7.16am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable will enter its final day this morning, after a group of government, business and union leaders discussed tangible measures to improve Australia's lagging productivity levels. Chalmers is expected to deliver his closing remarks this afternoon. The Transport Workers' Union will be able to spend the $50 million it was awarded in the Qantas penalties case however it sees fit, say lawyers and labour specialists. So how much will sacked Qantas workers get? Health Minister Mark Butler has defended his plan to divert children with autism or developmental delay from the National Disability Insurance Scheme from mid-2027, insisting that these children won't be left out. Benjamin Netanyahu's personal attack on Anthony Albanese as 'weak' marks a new low in Australia-Israel relations. Did Netanyahu's verbal attack strike home? Just look at who defended Albanese. Israel has announced the first steps to take over Gaza City after calling up 60,000 military reservists to support the expanded operation. The new phase comes after French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Netanyahu following the Israeli leader's claim that Macron had fuelled antisemitism by announcing France's imminent recognition of Palestine. 7.15am The top stories this morning Good morning, welcome to Brisbane Times' news blog for Thursday, August 21. The forecast for Brisbane today is rain and a top temperature of 20 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: Primary vote support for the LNP has fallen almost 10 percentage points from its post-election high as MPs prepare to return for the first regular parliamentary sitting since the Crisafulli government's inaugural budget. A man has died after the Volkswagen Golf he was driving with three passengers crashed into a tree at Zillmere, in Brisbane's north, in the early hours on Thursday. Brisbane's economy has tipped $200 billion in the past year, with growth predicted to continue as the population and domestic tourism increases – but what could stem our city's growth? US singer-songwriter Chappell Roan is the biggest new name in pop right now, so when her stylist, Genesis Webb, asks you to make her an outfit out of human hair, you don't hesitate. And a cherished pandemic-era Thai pop-up is reborn at South Bank. Naga Thai was just what the city needed when it opened in 2020 as an extended pop-up at Eagle Street Pier. But the new version is even better, writes Food Editor Matt Shea.
