After more than 2 year-battle, Qantas will now change its processes to make it easier for people to travel with assistance dogs.
In 2022, Qantas refused to let passenger Rachael Fullerton fly with her assistance dog, Strike, claiming he did not meet the airline’s particular requirements for assistance dogs. Strike is trained to do several tasks including getting medical help as well as providing physical and psychological support.
Rachael Fullerton was determined to fight Qantas on this issue so others wouldn’t face the same discrimination. Justice and Equity Centre took on the case arguing it was disability discrimination as the airline’s previous policy on assistance dogs was too narrow for the requirements mentioned in the Disability Discrimination Act.
Senior Solicitor Sheetal Balakrishnan joined 2SER Breakfast to tell us more.
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