1528400 comments

• Comment Link
  จัดดอกไม้งานขาว ดํา ใกล้ฉัน Posted 28.11.2024 in 13:54

  All six senior members of the new federal anti-corruption watchdog
  have accepted Qantas Chairman's 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 Australia's
  'most exclusive club' the Chairman's 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 Chairman's 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 Chairman's Lounge membership in 2023
  
  
  
  
  
  Read More
  
  Inside the exclusive hideaway for the nation's movers
  and shakers, where secret deals can be done
  
  
   
  
  An NACC spokesperson confirmed the Commissioner, three
  deputy commissioners and CEO are members of the Chairman's lounge.
  
  
  
  'This does not impact the integrity of the Commission,'
  the spokesman said.
  
  'Each of the statutory office holders has made appropriate declarations in regards to Chairman's lounge
  membership in the NACC Gifts and Benefits register.
  
  'Qantas is not a Commonwealth agency within the Commission's jurisdiction.'
  
  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 Chairman's Lounge
  memberships received from Qantas. 
  
  An insight into the type of service offered by the Chairman's 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 Chairman's 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 Chairman's Lounge (pictured Sydney Airport) has been described as Australia's 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 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 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 Chairman's 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' Chairman's Lounge membership Mr Albanese's partner Jodie Haydon did as well. 
  
  Mr Albanese insisted on Tuesday that all were 'declared in the appropriate way'.
  
  
  WHAT IS THE QANTAS CHAIRMAN'S CLUB?
  
  The Qantas Chairman's Lounge is an invitation-only club approved by the company chairman, with
  the guest list a closely-guarded secret.
  
  It has been dubbed ¿the most exclusive club in the country¿ and comes with a
  distinct black card.
  
  Members include senior-ranking MPs including ministers,
  state premiers and the Prime Minister, leaders of major unions and
  sporting groups, Qantas ambassadors, selected A-list celebrities, major corporate figures and high-profile media personalities.
  
  
  The clubs can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth
  and Adelaide but are not signed, you have to know where to look.
  
  
  
  Inside you will find expensive wood and brass furnishings, wool
  carpet and marble flooring all bathed in natural light. 
  
  Members enjoy fine à la carte dining with a complimentary premium
  array of beers, spirits and Australian wines. Wine bottles are often given as departing gift
  
  Facilities may also include spas, showers and an assortment
  of books and magazines.
  
  Members may bring in two guests at a time. 
  
  Lounge attendants personally alert you when your flight is to board and your personal preferences are logged
  for each flight. Membership also entitles you to first-class
  facilities at Qantas partner airlines.
  
  Soure: Executive Traveller
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  Anthony AlbaneseQantas