Australia's transport minister has warned unions not to waste members' money with a frivolous legal challenge against the Qantas alliance with Emirates.
Anthony Albanese told a media conference in Dubai that while the government respects the rights of unions to oppose the partnership through the courts — which they have threatened to do – the chances of success were slim.
There is no history of decisions made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) being overturned, he said.
"It would be a long drawn out process that would be costly," Albanese said. "The unions have a responsibility to represent their members' interests as they see fit but they also have a responsibility not to misuse members' money."
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said union leaders would be advised to speak to their members before taking legal action after claiming 80% of the airline's 35,000 workforce are in favour of the Emirates tie-up.
The support and enthusiasm of staff has been "overwhelming", he said.
"They have an obligation to make sure they are not wasting members' funds," Joyce said.
