Goyder backs himself as best man for Qantas crisis

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder has told a senate committee that major shareholders want him to stay on as chairman of the national carrier in the face of conflicting calls for his resignation. 

Mr Goyder and his new chief executive Vanessa Hudson were called to front an ongoing Select Committee regarding federal government decisions relating to airports, in Canberra on Wednesday. 

It marks the latest development in a litany of reputational issues currently plaguing Australia's national carrier. 

Former chief Alan Joyce did not attend the hearing.

During the lengthy line of questioning from senators, Mr Goyder denied having any interaction with the prime minister or any government minister in relation to a decision to deny Qatar Airways from running extra flights in and out of Australia. 

The federal government's decision not to allow an additional 21 flights by Qatar has been a key focus of the inquiry. 

Mr Goyder was also grilled extensively regarding his position as Qantas chairman and whether he should stay in the role in light of recent developments. 

The Australian and International Pilots Association and the Australian Shareholders Association have publicly called for the chairman's resignation.

But Mr Goyder cited feedback he claimed to have received from major Qantas shareholders that want him to continue as chairman of the board. 

"If that confidence isn't maintained then I'll clearly review that decision," Mr Goyder told the committee this afternoon. 

Mr Goyder maintained his position when grilled further about what support he had within Qantas to stay in the role. 

"As I said earlier, I've had meetings with major shareholders two weeks ago and they're very strongly supportive of me staying and I would also argue that my history in business has been one of high ethics," Mr Goyder told the enquiry. 

"Right now, the major shareholders and the board feel that I'm the best person to chair the board to navigate us through the current situation we've got."

However, he later in the hearing refused to specifically disclose which shareholders had backed him. 

The professional director, who also leads the boards of Woodside Energy, Channel 7 Telethon Trust, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and AFL Commission, was also asked regarding his workload. 

"I think I've got a very strong work ethic," senators were told. 

The comments follows a series of developments surrounding the airline, including allegations by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that Qantas advertised flights that had already been sold.

Australia’s High Court ruled earlier this month that Qantas had acted illegally when it sacked close to 1,700 workers.

The committee is due to table a report into its findings in October.