Alan Joyce

Following Qantas's reputational crisis, a board-commissioned review led in 2024 to approximately 9,26 million dollars being deducted from Alan Joyce's planned remuneration. The review criticised his leadership style and mistakes that contributed to the company's difficulties. A further final payment was nevertheless made to him in 2025 under deferred remuneration arrangements.

State of the evidence

Documented

The ACCC sued Qantas for continuing to sell tickets or delaying notification of cancellations for tens of thousands of flights. Qantas admitted misleading consumers concerning more than 82 000 flights, and the Federal Court ordered a penalty of 100 million dollars, alongside a compensation programme worth approximately 20 million.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Qantas outsourced approximately 1 700 ground services positions during the pandemic. Federal courts concluded that the decision breached the Fair Work Act, notably by depriving employees of a future right to industrial action, and the High Court unanimously dismissed Qantas's appeal in 2023.

State of the evidence

Documented

Hundreds of millions of dollars in travel credits accumulated during the pandemic triggered prolonged controversy over their use, visibility and expiry. In 2023, Joyce was questioned in the Senate about the amounts, and Qantas ultimately removed expiry dates from COVID credits.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Alan Joyce sold a substantial number of Qantas shares in June 2023 for approximately 17 million dollars, while the company already faced several regulatory and reputational risks. The timing raised questions about governance and the information available to the executive.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Shareholders and campaigners called on Qantas to review its role in transporting people deported by the Australian government, particularly where a risk of harm was alleged. The matter was put to a shareholder vote.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Alan Joyce made Qantas one of the most prominent major companies supporting same-sex marriage. Political figures, including Peter Dutton, criticised him for using the influence of a listed company to affect a political and social issue.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Qantas announced approximately 5 000 job cuts following a heavy half-year loss, prompting strong union criticism of the airline's strategy and management under Alan Joyce.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In 2011, Alan Joyce's total remuneration increased sharply while Qantas announced job cuts and faced an industrial dispute. Pilots and the Australian Shareholders' Association criticised the gap between the CEO's remuneration and the sacrifices demanded of employees.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Faced with union action, Alan Joyce decided to ground Qantas's entire domestic and international fleet and announce a lockout of the affected workforce. The decision stranded tens of thousands of passengers and triggered a major political and industrial crisis.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility