Australian politicians almost always choose to fly with Qantas on taxpayer-funded trips, despite Virgin offering cheaper tickets.
Federal MPs flew the national airline on 80 per cent of their work trips last year, even though it was not always the cheapest route, according to travel data provided to the government.
While politicians and their staff must book the cheapest flight, it also has to be the most efficient, and Qantas offers the most routes between major cities.
MPs are prohibited from accumulating frequent flyer points on taxpayer-funded trips like ordinary Australians can, but they can receive lifetime status credits, allowing them access to airport lounges and flight upgrades.
‘How else can you explain Qantas’ extraordinary dominance in getting bookings from MPs and their staff?’ Myriam Robin wrote in an opinion piece for the Australian Financial Review.
“There’s nothing like racking up status credits with someone else’s money.”
Transport Minister Catherine King has since committed to a review of flight bookings by government officials to be carried out by the Department of Finance this year, even though 2024 is only two months away.
Politicians’ preference for Qantas can also be attributed to the airline’s exclusive, invitation-only ‘Chairman’s Lounge’.
Australian politicians almost always choose to fly with Qantas on taxpayer-funded trips, despite Virgin offering cheaper tickets. (Pictured: Anthony Albanese, with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce and his fiancee Jodie Haydon)
Daily Mail Australia revealed in August that almost all of the country’s federal politicians have agreed to be free members of the club.
Qantas and the Albanian government have denied that the airline enjoys a disproportionate level of influence over the country’s political classes.
A Daily Mail Australia audit of members’ interest records in both the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed that almost 93 per cent of the nation’s leaders have been “gifted” as members of the lavish hall with all inclusive.
The high-profile ranks of the government’s donors include Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as well as all members of his 22-person Cabinet, his seven-person Foreign Ministry and all 12 assistant ministers.
While most politicians declared their Qantas privileges a “gift”, Labor MP Marion Scrymgour cited her membership as her “right to the chair of the floor”.
Daily Mail Australia revealed in August that almost all of the country’s federal politicians have agreed to be free members of Qantas’ exclusive Chairman’s Lounge.
And it’s not just politicians, as more than 60 MPs – including Marles, Chalmers, King, Bill Shorten, Zali Steggall and Tanya Plibersek – revealed their spouses have also been granted independent, unrestricted access to the luxurious lounge exclusively for Qantas members.
Often considered “the most exclusive club in the country,” membership in the Chairman’s Lounge has long been kept secret.
Even the entrances to each of the country’s six opulent VIP clubs (at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth airports) are suitably discreet.
However, once inside, the designer lounges immediately become more ostentatious, with excellent free a la carte food, table service, an exquisite selection of wines and champagnes and a discreet army of dedicated waiters.
Club membership is “priceless” – it cannot be purchased for any amount of money or obtained through any amount of frequent flyer points.
Instead, each member is selected and approved by the company’s CEO and president.
