Qantas has been fined $250,000 in a historic work health and safety conviction.

The carrier has been fined $250,000 for unlawfully standing down Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Theo Seremetidis, who raised critical work health and safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The decision marks the first conviction of its kind, emphasising the importance of safeguarding workers' rights to voice safety concerns without fear of retribution.

The case, initiated by SafeWork NSW, centred around Qantas Ground Services Pty Ltd's response to Seremetidis' actions in early 2020. 

Amid rising COVID-19 concerns, Seremetidis, operating at Sydney Airport, directed colleagues to halt cleaning and servicing aircraft arriving from China, citing potential exposure risks. 

Qantas' subsequent decision to stand Seremetidis down sparked the legal challenge, culminating in a guilty verdict for engaging in discriminatory conduct under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Beyond the fine, Qantas has agreed to a personal compensation order for Seremetidis totalling $21,000, acknowledging both economic and non-economic losses suffered due to their actions.

NSW Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis has expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, saying; “As a first principle, no Work Health and Safety rep should be stood down for doing their job”.

She said the case should act as a deterrent against discriminating health and safety representatives and commended the efforts of the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) and SafeWork NSW in championing workplace safety.

Trent Curtin, head of SafeWork NSW, highlighted the ruling's reinforcement of the HSR's critical role in workplace safety, noting the specific obligations businesses have towards them.