00:00It was the news QantasLink workers didn't want to hear.
00:06Today we've made a difficult decision to close our crew bases in Hobart, Canberra and Mildura.
00:12The air carrier announced last month it was looking at centralising its workforce and shutting down the regional bases.
00:20A brief review and consultation period followed that.
00:24Despite pressure from the union, workers and politicians to abandon the plan,
00:29QantasLink has decided to push ahead.
00:33This decision is not about cost savings or about profitability.
00:37This is about setting us up for success as we go through a significant period of growth and fleet renewal.
00:44The changes affect around 70 pilots and cabin crew across the three bases.
00:50They're workers, they're pilots and cabin crew who said we don't want this.
00:54We don't want to have to move. We will potentially leave the company if we have to.
00:58And they are ignored.
01:00QantasLink says its support packages will allow workers to live regionally while working out of a major base in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.
01:08That support will last a minimum of two years. It's unclear what will happen after that.
01:14We're going to look to support our people on an individual basis and if we need to continue those arrangements we will look at that.
01:22Yes there is some temporary measures around relocation or commuting but the reality is those bases are shutting and long term those jobs are going to go.
01:30QantasLink will also offer relocation support for people who want to move.
01:36It says the changes won't impact reliability of services but the union remains sceptical.
01:42That's it.
01:52That's true.
01:58Can I please can broadly look up and check.
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