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'
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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
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