Bosses at Australias national anti-corruption watchdog have all been gifted Qantas Chairmans Lounge memberships - as outrage grows about Albaneses free flight upgrades
All six senior members of the new federal anti-corruption watchdog have accepted Qantas Chairmans Lounge memberships as calls grow to refer Anthony Albanese over the perks he took from the airline.
All six senior members of the new federal anti-corruption watchdog have accepted Qantas Chairmans Lounge memberships as calls grow to refer Anthony Albanese over the perks he took from the airline.
Gift disclosure logs for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) leadership positions show commissioners are all part of Australias most exclusive club the Chairmans Lounge membership extended by invite only by the Qantas chair.
This has raised concerns over how impartial the body would be when dealing with Qantas matters.
If Mr Albanese has requested flight upgrades from former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce directly, as reported in a new book, he may have fallen foul of the strict Ministerial Code of Conduct which prohibits ministers from seeking any kind of benefit
Commissioner Paul Brereton declared Chairmans Lounge membership in 2023, as did the CEO Philip Reed and deputy commissioners Jaala Hinchcliffe and Nicole Rose, Sky News reported on Wednesday.
Deputy commissioners Ben Gauntlett and Kylie Kilgour declared their membership in February 2024, which means it was after the NACC began operation in July 2023.
NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton declared his Chairmans Lounge membership in 2023
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and his deputy Sussan Ley have said the Prime Minister should refer himself to the NACC over 22 upgrades and extra Chairmans Lounge memberships received from Qantas.
An insight into the type of service offered by the Chairmans Lounges was offered by a job ad posted on employment site Indeed for the one at Canberra Airport.
The ad, placed by hotel group Accor that Qantas contracts to run the lounges, stated they were seeking a highly motivated Food & Beverage Attendant to join our experienced and professional Front of House team.
This role is based within the Chairmans Lounge, a small fine dining restaurant and lounge area that offers an a la carte menu designed by Neil Perry Consulting, the ad states.
Service is discrete yet attentive, providing friendly and efficient food and beverage offerings that meets our passengers expectations.
The Qantas Chairmans Lounge (pictured Sydney Airport) has been described as Australias most exclusive club
Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce proudly walks the red carpet with one arm around the prime minister and the other around his partner Jodie Haydon
A job ad for the Canberra Qantas Chairmans Lounge sets out the requirements to serve the high and mighty
Applicants must have experience working in a fine dining environment and the ability to work a seven- day rotating roster.
The claims Albanese received 22 upgrades from economy when booking Qantas flight by personally requesting them from Mr Joyce are made in a new book The Chairmans Lounge by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston.
Aston alleged Mr Albanese directly contacted Mr Joyce while in his various parliamentary jobs, which included Minister for Transport to ask for special upgrades that only the CEO could dole out for himself or his family.
According to unnamed Qantas insiders 11 of the 22 flights Mr Albanese received upgrades for were privately funded and included overseas trips to Rome, London, Los Angeles and Honolulu.
The book also revealed that as well as son Nathan having a plus one Chairmans Lounge membership Mr Albaneses partner Jodie Haydon did as well.
Mr Albanese insisted on Tuesday that all were declared in the appropriate way.
