I want you to sit back at home and have a listen to this figure right here. $3.8 million that’s the mega bonus handed to former, that’s right, former Qantas boss Alan Joyce, despite the national carrier continuing to come under a fair bit of scrutiny from customers and also staff. For more, I want to bring in Shadow Immigration Minister Paul Scarr and also our own Lizzie Pearl in the studio. So Paul, two years after his reign, Joyce is still cashing in, much to the surprise of shareholders, passengers unions as well. Is that fair do you think?
Senator Scarr
it’s pretty extraordinary, isn’t it? I mean, Qantas got hit with huge fines in relation to its elite illegal sacking of or termination of. Baggage handlers got hit with huge fines because they were selling tickets for flights that they canceled. They weren’t telling customers they canceled flights. So it’s pretty hard to accept that this amount of money should be paid to the CEO who had operation management control of the company at that time.
Clint Stanaway
I guess the question many people would be asking, Does it pass the pub test? Lizzie, I mean, I want to ask you about other current executives as well, senior executives right now, pocketing, eye watering figures, including the current CEO, Qantas, has of course, been found guilty of illegally letting go staff, as Paul said, misrepresenting flight status, that major cyber hack. I mean, has the airline become a bit complacent about reputation?
Lizzie Pearl
Yeah, it’s not a good look, is it? And people sitting at home who are struggling to pay for flights or have dealt with lengthy delays or had problems during COVID, cashing in their credits. Have had their data involved in that data breach where we didn’t see the current CEO on the day it happened. This is not a good look. And for the CEO who said, you acknowledged the failings of Qantas and said, it’s my job to restore the reputation, and then we see these millions of dollars. It just isn’t a good look. The problem in this country with the airlines is, if you’re unhappy with Qantas, there’s not much of an alternative. There’s Virgin, and you know, that’s about it. And so when you know, take your money, take your business elsewhere. Well, where do you take it? There’s not a lot of options. Rex has had issues. Bonza gone.
Clint Stanaway
Alright. Moving on. This morning, Australia’s Education System is back in the spotlight today, with new data revealing this growing learning gap. Now, the report by save our schools exposes a five year disparity between year nine students from high and low socio economic groups. Paul, Australia has always been, you know, a proud country of equal opportunity. Does this fly in the face of that?
Senator Scarr
Yeah, Clint, that expression, equality of opportunity was the first thing that came to my mind when I read that story this morning. And equality of opportunity means every single child in this country needs to have the benefit of a quality education. So when we see results like that, it’s really confronting. The last set of NAPLAN results also indicated that 1/3 of children aren’t at the levels of numeracy and literacy.
Clint Stanaway
So what’s the solution? How do we how do we bridge the gap?
Senator Scarr
Well, I think we need to provide better support to our educators. We need to look at our education system. We need to work out how we support children who are living in homes where maybe they’re not getting the support they need, or they’re living in difficult household conditions, and we need to close that gap. We need to come up with practical solutions that close that gap. And we need to value the teaching profession. I think that’s really important in this country too. We need to really value our teachers.
Clint Stanaway
It’s incumbent on us as a nation to do something now Lizzie, because the issue, if we don’t tackle it now, is going to get a whole lot worse. I mean, do you agree?
Lizzie Pearl
Of course, and five years, that is a lot. I mean, that is a world of difference between, you know, a kid who’s been through, you know, the private system, or perhaps has parents at home who are helping them with their homework and all that kind of thing, and then the other kids who just don’t have any of that. And it’s the learning in those early years that set you up, because if you’re behind in year four or year five, you’re not going to catch up by year 12. And then, you know, your your opportunities are severely diminished. You perhaps can’t get into university, job prospects, that kind of thing. And Paul is right. It’s, it’s supporting the teachers. You know, we don’t support our teachers in this country, especially in the public system. I mean, they should be paid a lot more, a lot more resources, and they’ve got so much on their plate, so much in the curriculum for them to cover. It’s not surprising, but it is shocking.
Clint Stanaway
OK, finally, this morning, to lighten the mood, we all heard of the saying breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, now there might be some weight behind it. According to the Harvard Medical School, those who eat earlier in the day live longer. Paul, have you had your breakfast? If so, what was it?
Senator Scarr
Mate, I had my black coffee at 630 in the morning. So I’m all over it.
Clint Stanaway
Is that enough?
Senator Scarr
No, it’s absolutely not enough. I should also say I’ve discovered this thing called intermittent fasting that’s help help you to manage your weight. But my problem is my fasting is intermittent.
Clint Stanaway
Lizzie, there’s a caveat to all this, as I point out that I’m having a beautiful muesli and yougurt. Have you got Lizzie’s breakfast? Breakfast of Champions! Lizzie. What’s your secret?
Lizzie Pearl
Well, three hash browns, a Bacon and Egg McMuffin and a sausage and egg McMuffin, by the looks of things. One week, we’re being told to do intermittent fasting. The next week we’re told we’ve got to eat. I’m confused.
Clint Stanaway
We’re all confused.
Lizzie Pearl
What am I meant to do?
Clint Stanaway
Can I have one of those hash browns?
Senator Scarr
I’m going searching for Muesli now!
Clint Stanaway
Thanks, Paul. Good to see you, mate. Lizzie, enjoy your breakfast. Ali over to you.
