All six senior members of the new federal anti-corruption watchdog <br>
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have accepted Qantas Chairman's Lounge memberships <br>
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as calls grow to refer Anthony Albanese over the perks he took from the airline. <br>
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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 <br>
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Lounge membership extended by invite only by the Qantas chair.<br>
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This has raised concerns over how impartial the body would be when dealing with Qantas matters. <br>
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If Mr Albanese has requested flight upgrades from former Qantas <br>
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CEO Alan Joyce directly, as reported in a new book, he may have fallen foul of the <br>
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strict Ministerial Code of Conduct which prohibits ministers from seeking <br>
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'any kind of benefit' <br>
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Commissioner Paul Brereton declared Chairman's Lounge membership in 2023, as did the CEO Philip Reed and deputy commissioners Jaala Hinchcliffe and <br>
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Nicole Rose, Sky News reported on Wednesday. <br>
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Deputy commissioners Ben Gauntlett and Kylie Kilgour declared their membership <br>
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in February 2024, which means it was after the NACC began operation in July 2023.<br>
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NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton declared his Chairman's Lounge membership in 2023<br>
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Inside the exclusive hideaway for the nation's movers <br>
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and shakers, where secret deals can be done<br>
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An NACC spokesperson confirmed the Commissioner, three deputy commissioners and <br>
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CEO are members of the Chairman's lounge.<br>
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'This does not impact the integrity of the Commission,' the spokesman said.<br>
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'Each of the statutory office holders has made appropriate declarations in regards to Chairman's lounge membership in the NACC Gifts and Benefits register.<br>
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'Qantas is not a Commonwealth agency within the Commission's jurisdiction.'<br>
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Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and his deputy Sussan Ley have said the Prime Minister should refer <br>
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himself to the NACC over 22 upgrades and extra <br>
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Chairman's Lounge memberships received from Qantas. <br>
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An insight into the type of service offered <br>
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by the Chairman's Lounges was offered by a job ad posted on employment site Indeed for the one at Canberra Airport.<br>
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The ad, placed by hotel group Accor that Qantas contracts to run the lounges, stated they were seeking 'a highly motivated Food <br>
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& Beverage Attendant to join our experienced and professional Front of House team'.<br>
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'This role is based within the Chairman's Lounge, a small <br>
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fine dining restaurant and lounge area that offers an a la <br>
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carte menu designed by Neil Perry Consulting,' the ad states. <br>
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'Service is discrete yet attentive, providing friendly and efficient <br>
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food and beverage offerings that meets our passengers' expectations.'<br>
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The Qantas Chairman's Lounge (pictured Sydney Airport) has been described as Australia's most exclusive club<br>
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Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce proudly walks the red carpet with one <br>
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arm around the prime minister and the other around his partner Jodie Haydon<br>
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A job ad for the Canberra Qantas Chairman's Lounge sets out the requirements to serve the <br>
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high and mighty<br>
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Applicants must 'have experience working in a fine dining environment and the ability to <br>
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work a seven- day rotating roster.<br>
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The claims Albanese received 22 upgrades from economy when booking Qantas flight by personally requesting them from Mr Joyce are made in a <br>
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new book The Chairman's Lounge by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston. <br>
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Aston alleged Mr Albanese directly contacted Mr Joyce <br>
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while in his various parliamentary jobs, which included Minister for Transport to ask for special <br>
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upgrades that only the CEO could dole out for himself <br>
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or his family.<br>
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According to unnamed Qantas 'insiders' 11 of the 22 flights Mr Albanese received upgrades for were <br>
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'privately funded' and included overseas trips to Rome, London, Los <br>
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Angeles and Honolulu.<br>
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The book also revealed that as well as son Nathan having a <br>
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'plus one' Chairman's Lounge membership Mr Albanese's partner Jodie Haydon did as well. <br>
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Mr Albanese insisted on Tuesday that all were 'declared in the appropriate way'.<br>
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WHAT IS THE QANTAS CHAIRMAN'S CLUB?<br>
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The Qantas Chairman's Lounge is an invitation-only club approved by the company chairman, with the guest list a closely-guarded secret.<br>
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It has been dubbed ¿the most exclusive club in the country¿ <br>
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and comes with a distinct black card.<br>
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Members include senior-ranking MPs including ministers, state premiers and the <br>
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Prime Minister, leaders of major unions and sporting groups, Qantas ambassadors,<br>
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selected A-list celebrities, major corporate figures and high-profile media personalities.<br>
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The clubs can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane,<br>
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Perth and Adelaide but are not signed, you have to <br>
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know where to look.<br>
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Inside you will find expensive wood and brass furnishings, wool carpet and <br>
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marble flooring all bathed in natural light. <br>
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Members enjoy fine à la carte dining with a complimentary premium array of beers,<br>
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spirits and Australian wines. Wine bottles are often given as departing gift<br>
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Facilities may also include spas, showers and an assortment of <br>
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books and magazines.<br>
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Members may bring in two guests at a time. <br>
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Lounge attendants personally alert you when your flight <br>
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is to board and your personal preferences are logged for each flight.<br>
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Membership also entitles you to first-class facilities at Qantas partner airlines.<br>
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Soure: Executive Traveller<br>
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Anthony AlbaneseQantas<br>
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All six senior members of the