Recently, Virgin Australia unveiled a plan to give war veterans priority boarding and public acknowledgement during in-flight announcements, something similar to what airlines in the US are doing. The decision has drawn the attention of critics who see it as a PR stunt.
In response to the criticism it has received about its plan, the airline announced on twitter that it would reconsider its proposal.
Virgin has decided to seek the advice of consultation groups before taking any extra steps.
Among the critics of Virgin’s plan is the Australian Defense Association, who sees it as tokenistic. The ADA’s executive manager Neil James, believes a better approach would be for the airline to offer discounts to veterans.
«It would, for example, in the case of an airline be far more sensible rather than offer a thanks that risks becoming formulaic and even tokenistic over time, to introduce a discount for veterans and for serving members of the defence force, like we used to have in this country up until the early 1980s».
The plan has also drawn the attention of Deputy Labor leader, Tanya Plibersek, who says that rather than giving thanks to veterans for their service, we should be addressing their needs like employment and health.
«Ι think veterans are sending a very strong message that they don’t always feel properly supported on their return to Australia -- and we need to make sure that we're doing a proper job in doing that. This sort of acknowledgment from business is no substitute for properly caring for our veterans when they return -- making sure that their health needs are met, that they’re able to find work».
Other critics include the leader of the One Nation Party, Pauline Hanson and the Justice Party's Senator Derryn Hinch.
