#Australian Political Book 2025 Joe Aston

by Joe Aston (no photo available)

Finish date:
Genre: Australian Non-fiction
Rating: A+++
#NonFicNov25 

Bad News: The first 30% of the book is a real challenge to read for me, a non Australian!. It is filled with corporate names, politicians, COVID influenced policies…layoffs, downsizing worldwide workforce, attempt to de-unionize the transportation sector…baggage handlers for instance. I did not give up…but skimmed when necessary.

Good News: I continued reading but found that Aston delves VERY deeply into the details or complexities of Qantas to the point where I felt it distracts from the main issue: chaos and mismanagement at the top! But this is not a bad thing…the public has a right to know the details! This is from my perspective of one not living in Australia. I never heard of this Qantas debacle until I read this book. Perhaps Aussie readers will feel that Joe Aston by lifting the cover of a very nasty stew of mismanagement, deceiving shareholders and customers and an astonishing look at CEO Alan Joyces’s hubris is just what Australia needs.

Good News: I was shocked to read how Qantas, which was considered one of the best airlines years ago, treated its customers during the “reign” of CEO Alan Joyce as someone being beneath consideration or not valuable enough for respect. Who does the CEO think decides whether the airline will survive…it is the people who use it! Dùh. Alan Joyce was the CEO of Qantas for nearly 15 years, from November 28, 2008, until his early resignation (just 2 months from retirement) on September 5, 2023. He left with his tail between his legs.

Good News: What does this say about Qantas when their CEO Alan Joyce (2008-2023) was the company’s biggest liability. Joe Aston tells us what was really going on behind the scenes at Qantas! Impressive investigative journalism that shook the Australian National Airline to its core.

Personal: My first impression was “this will never win the Australian Political Book of the Year“….but when I considered the absolute chaos in the airline and how it treated its customers with such disdain…perhaps The Australian public will award Joe Aston for finally saying what should be said…ripping the band-aid off and expose the corporate greed. The book is very revealing but the writing style (…getting into the weeds of the topic) could be a hurdle that many readers are not willing to jump…but do finish the book as the last three chapters are a rollercoaster ride!

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce  – PM Australia Anthony Albanese –  Australian Financial Review journalist Joe Aston