All six senior members of the new federal anti-corruption watchdog have accepted Qantas <br>
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Chairman's Lounge memberships as calls grow to refer Anthony Albanese over the perks he took from <br>
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Gift disclosure logs for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) leadership positions show commissioners <br>
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are all part of Australia's 'most exclusive club' the Chairman's Lounge membership extended by invite only by the <br>
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Qantas chair.<br>
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<b>This has raised concerns over how impartial the body would be when dealing with Qantas matters. </b><br>
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If Mr Albanese has requested flight upgrades from former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce directly, as reported <br>
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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' <br>
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Commissioner Paul Brereton declared Chairman's Lounge membership <br>
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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 <br>
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membership in February 2024, which means it <br>
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was after the NACC began operation in July 2023.<br>
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<b><u>NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton declared his <br>
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Chairman's Lounge membership in 2023</u></b><br>
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Read More<br>
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<strong>Inside the exclusive hideaway for the nation's movers and shakers, where <br>
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secret deals can be done</strong><br>
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An NACC spokesperson confirmed the Commissioner, three <br>
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deputy 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 <br>
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made appropriate declarations in regards to Chairman's <br>
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lounge membership in the NACC Gifts and Benefits register.<br>
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<b>'Qantas is not a Commonwealth agency within the Commission's jurisdiction.'</b><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 Chairman's Lounge memberships <br>
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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 posted <br>
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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, <br>
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stated they were seeking 'a highly motivated Food & Beverage Attendant to join our experienced and professional Front <br>
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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 <br>
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offers an a la carte menu designed by Neil Perry Consulting,' the ad states. <br>
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'Service is discrete yet attentive, providing friendly <br>
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and efficient 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 arm around <br>
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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 <br>
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the requirements to serve the high and mighty<br>
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Applicants must 'have experience working in a fine <br>
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dining environment and the ability to work a seven- day rotating <br>
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roster.<br>
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The claims Albanese received 22 upgrades from economy when booking Qantas <br>
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flight by personally requesting them from Mr Joyce are made in a new book The Chairman's Lounge by former <br>
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Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston. <br>
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Aston alleged Mr Albanese directly contacted Mr Joyce while in his <br>
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various parliamentary jobs, which included Minister for Transport to <br>
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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 Mr Albanese received upgrades <br>
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for were '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 <br>
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a 'plus one' Chairman's Lounge membership Mr Albanese's partner Jodie Haydon did as <br>
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well. <br>
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<u><b>Mr Albanese insisted on Tuesday that all were 'declared in the appropriate way'.</b></u><br>
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<b><u>WHAT IS THE QANTAS CHAIRMAN'S CLUB?</u></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, 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 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 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><strong>Facilities may also include spas, showers and an assortment of books <br>
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and magazines.</strong></u><br>
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<b>Members may bring in two guests at a time. </b><br>
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Lounge attendants personally alert you when your flight is to board <br>
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and your personal preferences are logged for each flight.<br>
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Membership also entitles you to first-class facilities at <br>
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Qantas partner airlines.<br>
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<i><u>Soure: Executive Traveller</u></i><br>
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Anthony AlbaneseQantas<br>
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All six senior members of the