Federal Labor has called on the government to help Qantas workers who will lose their jobs after the airline announced a fresh round of cost cutting.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said many workers would be having difficult discussions with their families over Christmas.
"The most immediate focus of the parliament and the government needs to be helping these people affected by this news," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
"We expect them to do so ... we expect them to move quickly."
Qantas chief Alan Joyce has warned 1000 jobs will go within 12 months, including the 300 positions already being shed at its heavy maintenance facility near Geelong, Victoria.
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Labor says it's prepared to work with the government to support the workers.
"Why not put down the drawbridge from Castle Government and work with the opposition? Because we're prepared to work with you," Mr Shorten said.
The leader was asked for his response to government claims the domestic aviation industry had been hurt by the former Labor government's carbon tax.
"I've spoken to Alan Joyce in the last hour and he does not say that carbon had anything to do with it," Mr Shorten said.
"Qantas is not attributing this to anything other than changing markets."
