Adam Bandt said people 'can make their own judgment' about
him enjoying an exclusive and discretionary perk from Qantas during
a tense exchange with a journalist live on radio.
The Greens leader has been outed as a member of the Qantas Chairman's Lounge, an invitation-only set
of catered waiting areas and services handed out by the airline
in what has been called 'Australia's most exclusive club'.
Mr Bandt was challenged on Monday by ABC Radio National stand-in host Steve Cannane that he was 'enjoying free hospitality from a company that has illegally sacked hundreds of
workers'.
Mr Bandt replied: 'And I'll declare that and people can make their own judgement about what they think about that.'
Cannane was referring to the Federal Court's ruling that Qantas illegally sacked 1,700 workers at the start of
the Covid pandemic in a case brought by Transport Workers Union.
Commenting on the sacking in June of 2020, Mr Bandt called it a 'devastating day for thousands of Qantas workers & their
families' in a Facebook post. 'We're thinking of you,
' he wrote.
Cannane challenged Mr Bandt further saying: 'You don't
think you should be a little purer on this and just not take
their (Qantas's) hospitality?'
Mr Bandt said he always made declarations about matters such as this and argued that the party's policies to tax big
corporations heavily show the perks were not impacting
the Greens.
Greens leader Adam Bandt said people 'can make their own judgment' about
him enjoying an exclusive and discretionary perk from
Qantas
Mr Bandt has been outed as a member of the Qantas Chairman's Lounge, an invitation only set of catered waiting areas and services handed out by the airline that has been called 'Australia's most exclusive club'
Be the first to commentBe one of the first to commentComments
Now have YOUR say!
Share your thoughts in the comments.
Comment now
Read More
How Greens leader Adam Bandt spent thousands on private
jet flights while lecturing YOU about climate change
Mr Bandt was spotted in September flying business class from Melbourne to Canberra seated
next to Senator Jacqui Lambie.
Albanese government ministers Tim Watts and Catherine King were on the same flight but were with the masses in economy class.
It has been previously reported that Mr Bandt opts to frequently fly business despite his
party's core policy of cutting C02 emissions.
Flying business class emits about three times as
much carbon as economy class because the seats take up more room and
more of them are empty, according to a World Bank study.
Fellow Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather last year said he had
shunned a Chairman's Lounge membership and refuses to travel business class.
Earlier this year Mr Bandt's flying habits led to controversy.
Mr Bandt's flying habits have been a previous source of controversy after it was revealed he frequently opts for business class and has even taken private jets to election events
Mr Bandt used two private jets during the 2022 federal election campaign, landing tax payers
with the $23,000 bill.
One flight was between Queensland regional centres Townsville and Rockhampton on March 7 but
he also boarded a $15,000 private plane along the well-travelled
Brisbane to Canberra route to attend his party's election campaign launch.
Mr Bandt isn't the only politician in the hot seat with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese being asked if he has included both his son and partner as 'plus one' Chairman's Club members.
He is also being asked about free flight upgrades including an international one
he is alleged to have received from Qantas in new book The Chairman's Lounge authored by former
Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston.
The Greens are licking their electoral wounds after the Queensland state poll, where they are battling to hold onto their two seats after stating they aimed to triple their representation in parliament.
With 72 per cent of the vote counted they appear to have retained the Brisbane seat
of Maiwar but suffered a 4.6 per cent swing to the ALP.
However, they remain behind South Brisbane, which has seen a massive 12.4 per cent swing to Labor with
64 per cent of votes counted.
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
My homepage - จัดดอกไม้งานขาว ดํา ราคา