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