Tonio Borg ‘snoozes’ during CHOGM, denies being stranded in Qantas strike

Deputy Prime Minister and foreign affairs minister Tonio Borg – who stepped in to represent Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) – was photographed taking a ‘snooze’ during the pre-meeting for foreign ministers.

Other pictures, showed Tonio Borg in a light moment with Malta’s High Commissioner for Australia Francis Tabone (see pictures below).

Meanwhile, the Maltese delegation was said to be among 17 delegations who are reportedly stranded in Perth following a national strike by Qantas airlines. Australian foreign minister Kevin Rudd was also due to leave Perth on a Qantas flight but has returned to the city.

The CHOGM Taskforce says it is now discussing alternative transport options with a number of delegations.

Western Australia's Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Dawson says CHOGM security arrangements have been extended to cater for stranded delegates.

"I don't see any impact on security or protection which is the main role police have," he said.

"We are working with the Australian Government and the CHOGM taskforce in terms of any impact on dignitary movements so we will adjust but certainly the security measures that have been put in place over the last week will continue."

A spokesman declined to say from where the stranded delegations are from, but sources mentioned Malta and Cyprus as two of them.

Later in the day, a spokesman for the Maltese delegation denied that minister Tonio Borg was stranded due to the strike.

Qantas took the drastic step of grounding its entire fleet indefinitely as part of an escalating industrial dispute, a move unions called "a stunning overreaction''.

The airline, which has been hit by a series of strikes, also said all employees involved in the action would be locked out from Monday without pay.

"We have decided to ground the Qantas international and domestic fleets immediately,'' chief executive Alan Joyce said.

The airline said pilots, engineers and baggage, ground and catering staff were essential to Qantas operations and their lockout made it necessary to take all planes out of service.

"Aircraft currently in the air will complete the sectors they are operating. However, there will be no further Qantas domestic departures or international departures anywhere in the world,'' it said.

The Australian Government said it was "very concerned'' by the dramatic development and accused the airline of a "breach of faith'' by failing to give it advance notice.

"I think it is certainly a breach of faith with the government, the fact that there was no advanced notice of this action being taken by Qantas,'' said Transport Minister Anthony Albanese."

Meanwhile, customs officers went on strike when dignitaries arrived for CHOGM in Perth on Thursday.