Qantas unions have secured the support of the Labor Party to strengthen the Qantas Sales Act. The party backed the motion filed by Transport Workers Union (TWU) Federal Secretary Tony Sheldon to keep majority ownership, operation and governance of Qantas in Australia.

The move seeks to block the air carrier's plans to outsource and relocated current network to southeast Asia, which Mr Sheldon warned would lower the high standards expected by all Australians from Qantas.

"Despite an annual pre-tax profit of $530 million and the decision to award a 71 per cent pay increase to Alan Joyce, the board and management continue to squeeze their workers for every cent, whilst lowering standards of service and safety," Mr Sheldon said in a statement.

However, Qantas spokeswoman Olivia Wirth warned of changes to the Qantas Sales Act through legislation.

"Any proposed plans to change the act that restricts Qantas from doing business will not protect Australian jobs. Changes to put further restrictions on Qantas would be shortsighted and would not provide job protection. It would threaten the viability of Qantas as well as Jetstar," Ms Wirth said in a statement.

Mr Joyce told a Senate committee in November that amending the Qantas Sale Act would not protect Australian jobs, but would be counter productive and place the air carrier's business in peril.

"Would Australia seriously consider applying these principles to other great Australian companies such as ANZ, BHP or Westfield, who also invest and employ in overseas markets? The bill represents a significant threat to the viability of Qantas and the growing number of Jetstar airlines operating in Asia, even those that don't fly to and from Australia," Mr Joyce said.

RELATED STORIES