What we learned today, Monday 28 August
That’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here’s what we learned:
The Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce, has refused to divulge details of his efforts lobbying the government to refuse a request from Qatar Airways to almost double its operations to Australia. Joyce was summonsed to appear at the Senate select committee on the cost of living’s public hearing in Melbourne on Monday.
Meanwhile Virgin Australia has blasted the Albanese government’s decision to refuse Qatar’s request, suggesting Qantas was “having public policy designed for its benefit”.
The former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop says if the voice referendum is defeated it will send “a very negative message” to the world. Bishop, who was deputy leader of the Liberal party for 11 years, joined the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, in Perth today to jointly campaign for a yes vote.
Northern Territory police will remain at the scene of the fatal US military aircraft crash on Melville Island for “at least 10 days” as part an extensive investigation and recovery of the three marines killed. Of the 20 US marines who went to hospital after Sunday’s aircraft crash, eight remain in hospital. One is still in ICU.
University of Melbourne staff walked off the job, kicking off seven days of “unprecedented” strikes, representing the longest ongoing industrial action in any Australian university’s history.
Representatives from Ernst & Young, the consulting firm that helped to develop the economic impact analysis as part of the business case for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, appeared before the Senate inquiry into the cancellation of the event.
A record 1.5 million people are now “at risk” of mortgage stress across Australia, as interest rate hikes continue to bite.
We’ll be back bright and early tomorrow. Thanks so much for your company.
Updated
Chevron workers vote to strike if needed
Gas sector workers at Chevron’s Australian operations have authorised their unions to call a strike amid protracted negotiations over pay and conditions that has unsettled global energy markets.
Workers at a Chevron liquified natural gas facility voted on Monday to authorise the protected industrial action if needed, according to results released by the Fair Work Commission. Similar ballots were recently passed at other Chevron facilities.
The Offshore Alliance has been negotiating on behalf of workers at Chevron’s Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities in Western Australia to lock in industry standard wage rates and conditions in a sector that typically uses individual contracts.
The alliance consists of the Australian Workers’ Union and Maritime Union of Australia.
The votes give the unions the authority, but not requirement, to call a strike if further negotiations prove futile. Chevron was contacted for comment.
Union representatives struck an agreement with oil and gas company Woodside last week that averted industrial action.
Updated
