Mr BRUCE SCOTT (7:34 PM) —When the veterans of World War I returned to Australia they had unknowingly created the Anzac legacy, which today still defines what it means to be an Australian. They epitomised the Australian values of mateship, patriotism, sense of adventure, courage, compassion and generosity. Two young and inspirational veterans of the Great War left Australia with another legacy: an iconic company which is also synonymous with these values and ideals created by the spirit of the Anzacs. This company is the second oldest airline in the world and, just last week, it celebrated its 85th birthday. Its company slogan, ‘Spirit of Australia’, conjures up patriotism and pride in each and every Australian. This company is Qantas.

I was honoured to attend the 85th anniversary celebrations in Brisbane. It was a fanfare of history, heritage and future plans for the company. This was particularly so with the newest aircraft soon to join the fleet, the Airbus 380, on display. As the member for Maranoa I have a real connection with Qantas, because its first moments in history were forged in several parts of my electorate. At the 85th anniversary celebrations the growth of Qantas was summarised: ‘From Winton to the world’. Winton was the venue for the very first board meeting, in February 1921, and later that same year Qantas relocated to Longreach. In November 1922 the first passenger flight took off from Charleville, bound for Cloncurry. This inaugural flight took two days to complete and included an overnight stay in Longreach. The total distance of the trip was some 923 kilometres—a trip which would have taken some 10 days, had roads been passable, in the motor vehicles of that era.

However, this first Qantas flight was three years in the making. In 1919, after returning from the Great War, Lieutenant William Hudson Fysh DFC and Lieutenant Paul McGuinness DFC were commissioned to locate a suitable landing site for an air race between Great Britain and Australia. After working together on this task they realised that to break down the tyranny of distance for people in outback Australia, air travel would play a significant part in the future.

These two men were backed by a prominent grazier, Fergus McMaster, who helped raise the capital for these two progressive and visionary young Australians to register a business name and develop a company. In Brisbane, on 16 November 1920, Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd was born. I pay tribute to these pioneering men: Fysh, McGuinness and McMaster. They had a vision and a commitment to forge new frontiers.

Today the name ‘Qantas’ is an acronym for the original name and the company continues to remember its original roots and the Australian spirit in many ways. The spectacular sight of a Qantas Boeing 747, which today forms part of the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach, is a reflection of how Qantas has never forgotten its heritage. However, the true Australian spirit of generosity, compassion and determination are reflected in the decision of Qantas management to help Australians in South-East Asia caught up in the tragedies of the terrorist bombing and also the natural disaster.

Qantas assisted over 5,000 people, including holders of other airline tickets, to return to Australia from Bali after the two terrorist bombings. Transport was also provided to many more medical, consular, security and aid personnel to Bali. The Boxing Day tsunami also found many Australians stranded and yearning for family and friends back home. Once again, Qantas operated special flights to and from various countries which were devastated by this natural disaster to evacuate these stranded travellers. It also transported medical and charitable supplies free of charge. These more recent actions illustrate just how much Qantas reflects and resonates the real Australian spirit.

For Australian travellers on Qantas, there is always a sense of ease felt when you step onto that Qantas plane with its famous flying kangaroo tail to make the journey home. It does not matter where you have been or how far you have travelled, Australians all over the world call this great nation home, and of course they know the great safety record of Qantas will get you home.

My congratulations to all management and staff, both here and around the world, on the way they have upheld the visions of the original founders of Qantas: Fysh, McGuinness and McMaster. May their passion for flying live through Qantas forever.