Qantas Hit with Historic $58 Million Fine for Pandemic Layoffs Condemned by Judge

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: Reuters

Updated: Aug 18 2025

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Source: Reuters

Record Fine Imposed: Qantas Airways has been ordered to pay a record A$90 million ($58.64 million) for illegally terminating 1,800 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the largest penalty in Australian labor law history.
Court's Criticism: Federal Court Judge Michael Lee criticized Qantas for its lack of genuine remorse and questioned its litigation strategy, stating that the airline's expressions of regret seemed more focused on corporate damage than on the harm caused to workers.
Union Victory: The Transport Workers' Union (TWU), which brought the case against Qantas, celebrated the ruling as a significant victory against a major corporation, emphasizing the importance of holding employers accountable for unlawful actions.
Future Implications: The ruling serves as a warning to employers about the consequences of violating labor laws, with experts noting that it reinforces the role of trade unions in enforcing workers' rights.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.