[ad_1]
Update
Virgin Australia's move to prioritize the embarkation of war veterans and make it public during flight announcements has been described as "embarrassing" and "symbolic".
Key points:
- The Australian Defense Association has described as "symbolic" the measures taken by Virgin to honor veterans
- Qantas says that he will not follow
- But the Tasmanian RSL says the move would help older veterans
Virgin's announcement, reminiscent of US airlines, follows last week's announcement by the government of a discount card and pins for returning soldiers, as well as the modernization of half a billion dollars from the Australian memorial to Canberra.
This decision, however, elicited a mixed reaction from some veterans and politicians, while rival airline Qantas said it did not do the same.
Neil James, the head of the Australian Defense Association, described the move as "symbolic" and described it as a manifestation of American culture that would have little chance of being translated well into Australia.
"The first problem is that there are other forms of service to the community … like police officers and ambassadors, and that you would run a queue of such ads? C & # 39; is a real concern, "he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
United Nations Senator Pauline Hanson said she thought the veterans she would work with would find this recognition "terribly embarrassing".
"You now have young veterans in their twenties," she told Seven Network.
"We are taking care of the elderly and the weak by placing them in the planes first – I think it's a marketing ploy from Virgin." But I'm thinking of the veterans I know, I think they would be proud and would say "no". "
Difficult to distinguish veterans: Qantas
Qantas said that it carried "exceptional people every day" and that it would be difficult to select a group as part of the boarding process.
"We have the greatest respect for former and former members of the Defense Forces, and we honor their services in a number of ways throughout the year, including special announcements on the occasion of Anzac Day. and Remembrance, as well as our partnership with the Australian War Memorial, "said a spokesman. .
"We recognize that we carry many exceptional people every day, including veterans, police officers, paramedics, nurses, firefighters and others, so we find it difficult to select a particular group as part of the process. # 39; boarding ".
RSL ACT President and Acting National President John King said it would be up to individual veterans to take advantage of such an offer, while noting that airlines could offer reduced fares.
"I think if a company wants to honor a veteran [with priority boarding]as they do with seniors and people traveling with children, if the veteran gets up and benefits, so much the better, "he said.
"All those who risk their lives for the benefit of the community must be recognized, and I suppose that's one way to do it.
"[But] if [airlines] really want to ship, they could offer a discount to people working in this area. "
Terry Roe, spokesman for RSL Tasmania, said that priority boarding would benefit older veterans.
"There are more than 300,000 veterans and most of them are elderly, aged 70 to 80," he said.
"So, this initiative would probably be beneficial for some of them, especially those who are not as mobile."
A "great" idea or "American bullshit"?
John Borghetti, chief executive officer of Virgin Australia, told News Corp: "We recognize the important contribution of veterans to the security of our country and the role they play in our community."
"Once the veterans get their cards and pins, they will simply have to present them during the boarding process so they can get priority boarding and be recognized on board," he said. he declares.
Defense Industry Minister Steve Ciobo told Sky News that "it would be great" if Qantas followed Virgin's example.
"I think it's great that they join us and that they honor and pay tribute to serving the men and women who have served our country in uniform and put themselves in danger." , did he declare.
But Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester warned that the government would consult with veterans groups and air carriers, while acknowledging that veterans would prefer lower rates. .
"Australians, by their nature, tend to keep their light under wraps, so I think some veterans would be happy to get on a plane without anyone knowing they're there," he said. he told ABC's insiders.
Some veterans have echoed this feeling. Catherine McGregor, formerly Australia's highest-ranking transgender military officer, called Virgin's decision "false American hump".
"As a veteran, I would not dream of taking the plane before other passengers," she tweeted.
"Nor can I imagine too many people I have served with – spend more on suicide prevention and health support."
A researcher at the Lowy Institute and a former army officer, Rodger Shanahan, said he feared that Australia would join the "advanced veteran".
"What about the police and emergency services who have to attend car accidents or the fact that bodies are being picked up in rivers? Or even paramedics who are attending to d & # 39; Countless overdoses, suicide attempts and traumatic events every day? " he wrote in an opinion piece for ABC last week.
Add to that older and disabled workers, or special needs teachers who have to fend for themselves anonymously every day, and the idea of a community thanking the military or former military for their services leaves me very uncomfortable. "
Major General of the retired Army and Liberal Senator Jim Molan described the reaction to Virgin's approach as "a bit of a storm in a cup of tea".
"Let [Mr Chester] go out and talk to the veterans, see what the veterans think, then we can enjoy it or thank Virgin and say "no, it's not right now," he said.
"Let the consultation happen."
Topics:
defense and national security,
Veterans,
Government and politics,
Australia
First posted
[ad_2]Source link
