AFR's Joe Aston goes BAM!

[RooFlyer]

The one that is not doing too well is TWE.

Yes, he described that as ‘challenging’.

 

[MELso]

For those able to access The Fin: Alan Joyce, the king of delusions

 

[moa999]

Well looks like at least one person read AJs book.

 

[Melburnian1]

'News24', the former Sky News, interviewed Joe Aston on 27 July 2026. There's an online video with about 10 minutes of content.

In summary, Mr Aston says Alan Joyce is incapable of self analysis re his mistakes but it would be great to have him "return" as an entity's CEO because he always provides so much material for Aston and his Rampart online publishing venture. Aston was especially critical of how Joyce treated Qantas staff.

Aston said he was certain those advising Joyce had read Aston's book (which sold 60,000 copies), even though Joyce claims not to.

Aston noted how Alan Joyce continues to use the excuse for his behaviour that 'Qantas was 11 weeks from bankruptcy' during COVID but Aston reminded viewers Joyce did not initially say that. If I correctly recall the video, Aston suggests Joyce has only said this post-COVID: it's easy to debunk this Joyce assertion.

 

[RooFlyer]

Joe Aston certainly does well out of Alan Joyce. I thought the AFR column would be a rehash of his Rampart one, but its new - obviously having looked at the book.

Aston noted how Alan Joyce continues to use the excuse for his behaviour that 'Qantas was 11 weeks from bankruptcy' during COVID but Aston reminded viewers Joyce did not initially say that.

Its the other way around. Subsequent to COVID, Joyce was claiming the airline was only "11 weeks from bankruptcy [full stop]". In his book, Aston notes that that claim had problems - like the lack of advice to the ASX on the subject!! In his recent AFR column, Aston notes that Joyce is now claiming that Qantas was 11 weeks from “running out of cash… if we didn’t take action” - very different.

After that are several very strong paragraphs by Aston, which I'm surprised to see in print. The entertainment continues.

 

[CaptJCool]

Couple of excerpts

 

[MARTINE]

And this good bit...

Overington started by asking Joyce why he'd brought a PR minder to sit in on their conversation. "Have you ever interviewed a CEO?" came his retort.
Overington has interviewed US presidents, and her reporting of AWB's oil-for-wheat kickbacks triggered the Cole royal commission. She politely reminded Joyce he isn't a CEO, but an unemployable private citizen.
It only got worse from there

I read that weekend magazine and felt she was incredibly even handed.

Offered many openings of the - can you see why people were angry/let down when bogus flights/flights grounded/staff sacked insert issue here.

Every time it was a response of the extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.. did what I had to do…saved the company etc etc etc

He was only sorry for not calling people match fit when they returned to flying.

Not sure why the PR person was there with such an opportunity to show some contrition..no doubt paid by AJ to tell AJ nothing to see here

 

[Melburnian1]

I read that weekend magazine and felt she was incredibly even handed.

As a 'The Oz' subscriber, I thought Overington's article was well written, comprehensive and balanced. A good example of how to convey much information without viewers/readers becoming bored.

Mr Joyce didn't emerge from it looking good. The man appears to lack humility.

 

[MARTINE]

As a 'The Oz' subscriber, I thought Overington's article was well written, comprehensive and balanced. A good example of how to convey much information without viewers/readers becoming bored.

Mr Joyce didn't emerge from it looking good. The man appears to lack humility.

As they say when you smell that much s—t, check the bottom of your own shoe