Qantas workers compensation payout

Australia’s Federal Court ruled that Qantas must pay a $160 million compensation package to more than 1,800 former baggage handlers, cleaners and ground staff dismissed in 2020 after a class‑action lawsuit argued the layoffs were intended to curb union bargaining power. The court‑ordered fund includes $120 million in direct compensation and a $90 million penalty, with roughly $40 million set aside for an individual‑worker benefit scheme. Six years after the dismissals, the workers have yet to receive their payments. Law firm Maurice Blackburn, which administered the class action and now oversees the fund, has been unable to meet the July 31 deadline for distribution and has requested an extension, citing ongoing logistical challenges. Justice Michael Lee described the postponement as “troubling,” and former ramp supervisor Don Dixon warned that many affected staff are facing severe financial hardship while the distribution schedule remains uncertain.