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Qantas shows support for ‘The Voice’ with planes sporting decals calling on Australians to vote YES
Qantas on board with voice
Several planes emblazoned with ‘Yes23’
The launch drew a divided reaction
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Qantas unveiled planes fitted with decals showing the airline’s support for the indigenous voice in Parliament.
The new livery features the ‘yes23’ logo, along with the message ‘Qantas proudly supports Voice to Parliament’.
The airline shared a photo of the new livery on social media before showing off three freshly decorated planes at an official launch party attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney on Monday.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said supporting the voice continues the national carrier’s long-term commitment to reconciliation, as well as the notion of a “fair party”.
“It’s great to see so much support from Parliament in the room. Qantas got established in the 1920s thanks to the First Nations. They helped us discover the landing sites. We wouldn’t be here without them,” Mr. Joyce told the crowd.
Anthony Albanese (pictured right with Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce) praised the airline’s support for the indigenous voice in Parliament when Qantas unveiled its planes in Sydney on Monday
“Qantas was one of the first companies to have a reconciliation action plan. Internships, intern programs to provide high quality jobs to First Nations people and have a collaborative program with First Nations suppliers.
“We are here today to confirm and demonstrate that we support an indigenous voice in parliament.”
“We’re literally waving the flag so every big city, every big city, can see this message, which is fantastic.”
AFL legend Adam Goodes made a rare public appearance to pledge his support for the voice.
“We can’t have people sitting on the sidelines right now who aren’t listening and not engaging,” the two-time Prime Minister and Brownlow Medal winner said at the launch.
“We need to start participating in the conversation now.”
Adam Goodes (pictured with Qantas staff on Monday) made a rare public appearance to pledge his support for the yes vote
The launch was another opportunity for the Prime Minister to make an impassioned plea to Australians to vote Yes in the referendum later this year.
“The spirit of Australia says yes, and it says yes because it will help reconciliation in a practical way,” Mr Albanese said.
The livery will be carried on three aircraft: a Qantas Boeing 737, a QantasLink Dash 8 turboprop and an Airbus A320 Jetstar.
Qantas’ support for the Yes campaign has drawn a divided reaction from Australians.
“If only you embraced customer service as enthusiastically as you embrace virtue signage,” attorney Jim Parke tweeted.
Another man wrote: ‘Please stick to settling the airline and stay out of politics.’
Qantas has unveiled its new pledge of public support for the Indigenous voice in Parliament, prompting a divided response from Australians
Other Australians have vowed to boycott the airline.
“Another reason not to travel with Qantas,” one woman tweeted.
The Prime Minister first hinted that Qantas would publicly pledge its support vote three months ago.
At a meeting with News Corp editors in May, Mr Albanese revealed that Qantas was considering publicly supporting the campaign by painting Yes in large print on the side of some of its planes.
The latest decision comes six years after Qantas publicly backed the marriage equality vote.
The Voice is a proposed advisory body that would make recommendations to the federal government and parliament on laws and policies affecting Indigenous peoples.
A referendum on the vote will take place between October and December this year.
Anthony Albanese (right) first hinted at Qantas backing the voice in May. He is pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon and Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce during the airline’s 100th anniversary celebrations.
Qantas shows off support for ‘The Voice’ with planes featuring decals calling on Aussies to vote YES