All six senior members of the new federal anti-corruption watchdog have agreed to be members of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge as calls grow to recommend Anthony Albanese over the benefits he received from the airline.
Gift disclosure records for National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) leadership positions show the commissioners are all part of Australia’s “most exclusive club”, Chairman’s Lounge membership extended only by invitation from the Qantas chairman.
This has raised concerns about how impartial the body would be in dealing with Qantas matters.
If Albanese has requested flight upgrades directly from former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, as reported in a new book, he may have breached the strict Ministerial Code of Conduct which prohibits ministers from seeking “any form of benefit”.
Commissioner Paul Brereton declared membership in the Chairman’s Lounge in 2023, as did chief executive 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, meaning it was after the NACC began operations in July 2023.
NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton declared membership in the Chairman’s Lounge in 2023
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and his deputy Sussan Ley have said the Prime Minister should refer to the NACC over the 22 upgrades and additional Chairman’s Lounge memberships received from Qantas.
A job advertisement posted on employment site Indeed for Canberra Airport offered an insight into the type of service offered by President’s Rooms.
The advert, posted by hotel group Accor, contracted by Qantas to manage the lounges, said they were looking for “a highly motivated food and beverage assistant to join our experienced and professional front of house team”.
“This feature is based in the Chairman’s Lounge, a small fine dining restaurant and lounge offering an a la carte menu designed by Neil Perry Consulting,” the announcement states.
“Service is discreet but attentive, providing friendly and efficient food and beverage offerings that meet our passengers’ expectations.”
The Qantas Chairman’s Lounge (pictured at Sydney Airport) has been described as Australia’s most exclusive club.
Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce walks proudly down the red carpet with one arm around the Prime Minister and the other around his partner Jodie Haydon.
A job advert for the Canberra Qantas Chairman’s 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 on a seven-day rotating roster.
Claims that Mr Albanese received 22 economy class upgrades when booking a Qantas flight by personally requesting them from Mr Joyce are found in a new book, The Chairman’s Lounge, by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston.
Aston alleged that Albanese contacted Joyce directly while he was in his various parliamentary positions, which included Transport Minister, to request special upgrades that only the chief executive could grant for him or his family.
According to unnamed Qantas sources, 11 of the 22 flights for which Albanese received upgrades were “privately funded” and included overseas trips to Rome, London, Los Angeles and Honolulu.
The book also revealed that, as well as his son Nathan having a “plus one” membership in the Chairman’s Lounge, Mr Albanese’s partner Jodie Haydon also had one.
Albanese insisted Tuesday that all were “properly declared.”