Justice Delayed, Not Necessarily Justice Denied

The $35 million payout to 1,800 former Qantas workers who were illegally sacked five years ago may finally bring some measure of closure for those affected. However, the slow and arduous process leading up to this moment highlights the disconnect between corporate accountability and the reality faced by ordinary people.

About $20 million has yet to be paid out, despite the Federal Court’s directive that compensation funds be decoupled from Qantas’ own payment obligations. This bureaucratic wrangling serves as a stark reminder that even when justice is ultimately served, it can come at a glacial pace.

The case against Qantas began in 2020, when the airline unilaterally decided to outsource ground handling operations at 10 Australian airports without regard for the workers who would be affected. This decision was not an isolated incident; the outsourcing of jobs has become a disturbing trend in many industries as companies seek to reduce costs without taking responsibility for their human impact.

The $90 million penalty imposed on Qantas by Federal Court Judge Michael Lee in August 2025 was one of the largest fines ever levied against a corporation in Australia. However, it took six years for workers who were illegally sacked to receive their rightful compensation, raising questions about the effectiveness of our justice system.

The victims of this debacle are not just the former Qantas employees but also their families, who have struggled to make ends meet while waiting for what is rightfully theirs. The slow pace of the compensation process has drawn ire from both the victims and the court, with Justice Lee intervening last month to ensure that workers’ penalty payments were not tied to Qantas’ own payment schedule.

The phrase “justice delayed is justice denied” is often invoked in cases like this. However, it’s worth considering whether we’re simply tolerating a system that prioritizes corporate interests over those of ordinary people. The fact that it took the court’s intervention to ensure workers received their compensation raises serious questions about the balance of power between corporations and individuals.

The need for greater transparency and accountability in corporate decision-making is highlighted by this case. Companies must be held responsible not just financially but also for the human impact they have on workers and communities. This requires a fundamental shift in how we approach corporate responsibility, one that prioritizes people over profits.

Maurice Blackburn, the law firm administering the compensation, must meet its deadline to complete the process by October 31. The victims of this debacle deserve nothing less than justice served with a sense of urgency and respect for their humanity. As Tony Mora, one of the affected workers, noted: “It’s not over. There’s still loss and pain and suffering monies still to come.”