Australia's national carrier advocates for indigenous voice to parliament.


Key Points:

  • In the lead-up to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, Qantas Group affirms its support for the Yes campaign, showcasing this through a special livery on three of its aircraft.

  • Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas Group, emphasizes the airline's longstanding commitment to reconciliation with First Nations people and highlights previous initiatives that demonstrate this.

  • While advocating for the Yes23 campaign, Joyce recognizes the diverse opinions on the issue, urging individuals to educate themselves and make informed decisions.

SYDNEY — Today, Australia's national airline, Qantas, displayed its firm backing for the forthcoming referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament by revealing a distinctive livery on three of its group aircraft. This special livery, showcasing the Yes23 campaign's emblem, will be prominently featured on a Qantas Boeing 737, a QantasLink Dash 8 Turboprop, and a Jetstar Airbus A320.

Alan Joyce, the Group CEO of Qantas, remarked on this gesture as an extension of the airline's enduring dedication to reconciliation and the overarching principle of fairness. He said, "Qantas has consistently championed the cause of First Nations reconciliation. This is evident from initiatives such as the Aboriginal designs we incorporated into our inflight magazines during the 1960s and subsequently onto our planes since the 1990s. Our endorsement also spans to significant moments like the 2014 constitutional recognition, our public alignment with the 2019 Uluru Statement of the Heart, and our robust commitments to First Nations employment and supplier relationships."

Joyce further elaborated, "By backing the Yes23 campaign, we're asserting our belief that providing a formal platform for First Nations people in the government could bridge significant disparities, especially in pivotal sectors like health, education, and job opportunities."

Drawing a parallel with the airline's 'Flying Art' initiative that celebrates First Nations culture on a global stage, Joyce pointed out that these newly-liveried aircraft would effectively champion a 'Yes' vote as they traverse Australia.

While expressing Qantas' stance, Joyce also acknowledged the variety of opinions that exist on this critical issue. "It's crucial to recognize the diverse perspectives surrounding this, including those held by our customers and workforce. My hope is that people take the initiative to delve deeper, genuinely hear out First Nations narratives, and ultimately arrive at their own well-informed conclusions," he concluded.