Judge Michael Lee has imposed a record fine on Qantas for the unlawful dismissal of employees, underlining that the company's regrets appear more strategic than sincere.

Judge Michael Lee has imposed a record fine of 120 million Australian dollars on Qantas for sacking 1,820 employees during the pandemic, ruling that the company's expressions of regret were a reaction to the harm it had suffered rather than an acknowledgement of the suffering of its employees. The decision comes after a court described Qantas' actions as hostile, preventing workers' rights to form a union. Qantas has announced it will pay the fine and apologizes to affected employees.