Qantas takes support for Voice to parliament campaign to the skies

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Qantas for its commitment to reconciliation after the airline today threw its weight behind the Yes campaign for an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Albanese and Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce attended the unveiling of a special logo on three planes at Sydney Airport.

"Qantas has a long history of doing its bit to carry the nation, to lift all of us a little bit higher, both literally and figuratively. And that is what this is about," Albanese said.

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The PM praised the airline for its "long-standing commitment to the cause of reconciliation" and urged Australians to think about what it will feel like the day after the referendum if the nation votes Yes.

"The day after the referendum – the day after – it will be such a wonderful moment because the alternative is more of the same – the same that sees us achieving just four of 19 closing the gap targets being on track.

"We can do better, we must do better, we will do better when Australians vote for recognition."

Joyce said support for a voice to parliament in the upcoming referendum continued the national carrier's long commitment to reconciliation and, more broadly, the notion of a "fair go".

"We're supporting the Yes23 campaign because we believe a formal voice to government will help close the gap for First Nations people in important areas like health, education and employment," he said.

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The livery, featuring the Yes23 campaign logo, will be carried on three aircraft: a Qantas Boeing 737, a QantasLink Dash 8 Turboprop and a Jetstar Airbus A320.

The federal government is yet to confirm the date the referendum will be held, with speculation it will be in the last quarter of this year.

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