Chanticleer Chalmers' roundtable: hit or miss? ASX giant $25b bad week & property price pressure cooker
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Aug 22, 2025 Explore the fallout from Qantas's hefty fine for unlawful employee dismissals and its implications for corporate accountability. Learn about the brightening outlook in the commercial property market due to falling interest rates and necessary economic reforms. Dive into investor outrage over James Hardy's massive acquisition, amidst concerns about the US housing market. Finally, the discussion turns to the viability of universal basic income in light of AI's potential to reshape job markets and economic disparities.
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Qantas' Pandemic Sackings And Aftermath
- Qantas illegally sacked 1,821 ground staff during the pandemic and lost in court multiple times.
- The company faces about $210m in total costs but still appears to save money from the restructures, suggesting a weak deterrent effect.
Weak Regulatory Response Exposed
- Justice Michael Lee suggested Qantas' corporate culture and contrition may be insufficient despite the penalties.
- The Fair Work Ombudsman did not pursue the case and the union bore the legal costs, highlighting enforcement gaps.
Property's Pressure Cooker
- Commercial property players say falling rates, returning institutional buyers and scarce new supply are driving valuation pressure.
- Limited construction means renewed investor demand risks pushing prices up rather than expanding real economic output.