Joyce ‘retires’ early 👍
And one further matter to deal with. A board spill and complete revamp. Those that orchestrated and implemented such policies from mid tier management can go as well.
additionally, the stip and ltip bonus plans scrapped immediately. Salaried positions from the ceo down.
If they don’t like it, they can :fx32 off.
additionally, the stip and ltip bonus plans scrapped immediately. Salaried positions from the ceo down.
If they don’t like it, they can :fx32 off.
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How can Goyder and Hudson remain after all of this?
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A company that has no moral compass and would make Gordon Gecko blush. Well done Joyce.
Surely Hudson is under intense pressure. It is beyond credulity that her fingerprints are not all over these decisions. She is complicit in everything - if not the actual driving force.
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Hear, hear! Corporations have shown for several decades that they are not responsible corporate citizens. Nationally important companies should be returned at least to majority Government owned. QF is just the tip of the iceberg and the list of important pieces of infrastructure being held hostage to this sort of corporate piracy is very long.
And one further matter to deal with. A board spill and complete revamp. Those that orchestrated and implemented such policies from mid tier management can go as well.
additionally, the stip and ltip bonus plans scrapped immediately. Salaried positions from the ceo down.
If they don’t like it, they can :fx32 off.
additionally, the stip and ltip bonus plans scrapped immediately. Salaried positions from the ceo down.
If they don’t like it, they can :fx32 off.
All KPI based bonuses need to be stopped .
Lets see what the penalties & entitlements to ex ground staff amount to.
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And more.
Qantas’ polished public relations image is now unravelling thanks to the actions taken by its former chief executive, for which its board is now accountable.
Happier times: Qantas chairman Richard Goyder (right) and Vanessa Hudson, who took over from Alan Joyce (left) as CEO last week.CREDIT: RHETT WYMAN It is difficult to see how its chairman Richard Goyder can survive this. The board may not react immediately to the finding that the airline acted illegally in sacking its ground handling staff. But there is immense pressure on its directors and major shareholders to, at the very least, engineer a timetable for the early departure of Goyder, and a refresh of the Qantas board.
Both the illegal worker sackings and the allegations of mis-selling of tickets may be expensive for Qantas. The unions will seek legal costs and a substantial penalty, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will seek hundreds of millions of dollars if its legal action is successful.
At the very least, shareholders will not take kindly to that.
The governance accountability playbook is one that has been followed on numerous occasions by companies involved in scandals over recent years, including a couple of major banks in the wake of the financial services royal commission, Rio Tinto after it blew up ancient caves in the Juukan Gorge and Australia’s two large casino operators aftershortcomings in their anti-money laundering procedures.
Typically, senior executives are moved on and fresh director blood – untainted by scandal – moves onto the board.
Until this week, Qantas was betting it could deploy the early retirement of Alan Joyce as a circuit breaker - a sacrificial scalp. And if that wasn’t enough, it could claw back some of his $20 million-plus in compensation as a means to mollify the aggrieved mob.This won’t be sufficient now.
There will be fresh pressure on the company’s recently appointed chief executive Vanessa Hudson to acknowledge the airline’s mistakes and demonstrate her preparedness to overhaul its culture of profit at any cost. Play Video
Play video
2:02
The Transport Workers Union has called for an overhaul of the Qantas board after the airline lost its appeal in the High Court.
It is what the community expects when the unacceptable face of capitalism is unmasked.
It isn’t surprising that the Transport Workers Union is calling for Goyder’s scalp, but this time it will have support from other quarters.
The large superannuation funds that own Qantas shares and dominate the largely fractured share register are also in the firing line. Until the past few weeks, they have been supportive or silent on the airline’s poor customer service record or its treatment of workers.
The $2.5 billion profit that Qantas posted for 2023 was made on the back of cutting costs (including staff costs) and raising customer fares.
Joyce had plenty of form on playing incredibly hardball on industrial relations – it was a feature that had endeared him to many shareholders, but had made him unpopular with staff.
Joyce had been a master at courting those who matter – politicians and corporates occupying the big end of town.
His outsized influence in Canberra will now undergo forensic examination at a Senate inquiry into the government’s decision to block Qatar from servicing additional flights into Australia.
The government’s stated reasons included public interest on the basis that it would mean additional jobs for Australian workers.
In light of the High Court decision on Wednesday, this explanation feels farcical.
Meanwhile, the shocking allegations from the ACCC that Qantas engaged in false, misleading and deceptive conduct towards its own customers, if true, breaks the fundamental rule of business that says alienating customers in the pursuit of profit is not a long-term strategy.
The airline said on Wednesday that “we deeply regret the personal impact the outsourcing decision had on all those affected, and we sincerely apologise for that,” but maintained that when it sacked the workers it was in COVID-induced survival mode.
While profits are now booming, it’s the board’s survival that is now in question.
The unravelling of Qantas: Can its board survive?
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnistSeptember 13, 2023 Timing is everything. On the heels of Qantas being pinged by the competition regulator, which has started legal action against the airline claiming it sold customers tickets for non-existent flights, the High Court’s ruling on Wednesday that it illegally sacked 1700 ground staff cannot go unanswered.Qantas’ polished public relations image is now unravelling thanks to the actions taken by its former chief executive, for which its board is now accountable.
Happier times: Qantas chairman Richard Goyder (right) and Vanessa Hudson, who took over from Alan Joyce (left) as CEO last week.CREDIT: RHETT WYMAN It is difficult to see how its chairman Richard Goyder can survive this. The board may not react immediately to the finding that the airline acted illegally in sacking its ground handling staff. But there is immense pressure on its directors and major shareholders to, at the very least, engineer a timetable for the early departure of Goyder, and a refresh of the Qantas board.Both the illegal worker sackings and the allegations of mis-selling of tickets may be expensive for Qantas. The unions will seek legal costs and a substantial penalty, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will seek hundreds of millions of dollars if its legal action is successful.
At the very least, shareholders will not take kindly to that.
The governance accountability playbook is one that has been followed on numerous occasions by companies involved in scandals over recent years, including a couple of major banks in the wake of the financial services royal commission, Rio Tinto after it blew up ancient caves in the Juukan Gorge and Australia’s two large casino operators aftershortcomings in their anti-money laundering procedures.
Typically, senior executives are moved on and fresh director blood – untainted by scandal – moves onto the board.
Until this week, Qantas was betting it could deploy the early retirement of Alan Joyce as a circuit breaker - a sacrificial scalp. And if that wasn’t enough, it could claw back some of his $20 million-plus in compensation as a means to mollify the aggrieved mob.This won’t be sufficient now.
There will be fresh pressure on the company’s recently appointed chief executive Vanessa Hudson to acknowledge the airline’s mistakes and demonstrate her preparedness to overhaul its culture of profit at any cost. Play Video
Play video
2:02
Transport Workers Union calls for Qantas board overhaul
The Transport Workers Union has called for an overhaul of the Qantas board after the airline lost its appeal in the High Court.
It is what the community expects when the unacceptable face of capitalism is unmasked.
It isn’t surprising that the Transport Workers Union is calling for Goyder’s scalp, but this time it will have support from other quarters.
The large superannuation funds that own Qantas shares and dominate the largely fractured share register are also in the firing line. Until the past few weeks, they have been supportive or silent on the airline’s poor customer service record or its treatment of workers.
The $2.5 billion profit that Qantas posted for 2023 was made on the back of cutting costs (including staff costs) and raising customer fares.
Joyce had plenty of form on playing incredibly hardball on industrial relations – it was a feature that had endeared him to many shareholders, but had made him unpopular with staff.
Joyce had been a master at courting those who matter – politicians and corporates occupying the big end of town.
His outsized influence in Canberra will now undergo forensic examination at a Senate inquiry into the government’s decision to block Qatar from servicing additional flights into Australia.
The government’s stated reasons included public interest on the basis that it would mean additional jobs for Australian workers.
In light of the High Court decision on Wednesday, this explanation feels farcical.
Meanwhile, the shocking allegations from the ACCC that Qantas engaged in false, misleading and deceptive conduct towards its own customers, if true, breaks the fundamental rule of business that says alienating customers in the pursuit of profit is not a long-term strategy.
The airline said on Wednesday that “we deeply regret the personal impact the outsourcing decision had on all those affected, and we sincerely apologise for that,” but maintained that when it sacked the workers it was in COVID-induced survival mode.
While profits are now booming, it’s the board’s survival that is now in question.
And for a bit of light relief, First Dog on the Moon, from The Guardian.
Exclusive! Swish! Ecru napkins! It’s the Qantas Chairperson’s Lounge – is it dodgy AF?
Exclusive! Swish! Ecru napkins! It’s the Qantas Chairperson’s Lounge – is it dodgy AF?
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So, in the last 2 weeks (in fact its been a long road to get here, but only has it been acknowledged in the last 2 weeks) Qantas' management have exposed the company to potentially in excess of 1B dollars in fines and compensation, and that doesn't even begin the put a figure on the cost of the brand damage. Well done dickheads.
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What pisses me off SO MUCH - is that Qantas WAS Australian. You gave your all for it like you were in the trenches. Because you represented Australia every single time you put your uniform on.
Joyce and his coterie of enablers completely trashed that legacy. From WWII to the ‘Freedom Birds’ leaving Saigon, Qantas was the surrogate (and corporate) ambassador of Australia. What the Strong/Dixon and Joyce (off the charts) era has done is to prove to the world Australia is all about what’s in it for me.
I’m happy people are realising what has happened.
Im absolutely disgusted it has been done to something that I once thought was a sacrosanct national icon.
What an absolute debacle, On the scale of Enron and Madoff. And yes there are fiscal parallels but none of those rorts tampered with what was perceived around the globe as Australian.
Thats why I’m angry. Nuremburg style cleansing is required to fix this. It isn’t enough that the CEO has run away to the VERY tax effective jurisdiction of Ireland - this has to be a root to branch cleansing.
If this were the French Revolution there would be a VERY well used guillotine outside QCC.
A post script to this. I’m very right wing. VERY. But what staff have witnessed is destruction of everything they held (and were taught to hold) dear. Anyone reading this needs to know the start of ‘Union troubles’ at Qf were a result of cost cutting WAY beyond the pale. Cost cutting to the point of rape is where I saw valuable staff simply give up and accept that everyone at the company was into getting as much money out them as you could.
Just disgusting.
Joyce and his coterie of enablers completely trashed that legacy. From WWII to the ‘Freedom Birds’ leaving Saigon, Qantas was the surrogate (and corporate) ambassador of Australia. What the Strong/Dixon and Joyce (off the charts) era has done is to prove to the world Australia is all about what’s in it for me.
I’m happy people are realising what has happened.
Im absolutely disgusted it has been done to something that I once thought was a sacrosanct national icon.
What an absolute debacle, On the scale of Enron and Madoff. And yes there are fiscal parallels but none of those rorts tampered with what was perceived around the globe as Australian.
Thats why I’m angry. Nuremburg style cleansing is required to fix this. It isn’t enough that the CEO has run away to the VERY tax effective jurisdiction of Ireland - this has to be a root to branch cleansing.
If this were the French Revolution there would be a VERY well used guillotine outside QCC.
A post script to this. I’m very right wing. VERY. But what staff have witnessed is destruction of everything they held (and were taught to hold) dear. Anyone reading this needs to know the start of ‘Union troubles’ at Qf were a result of cost cutting WAY beyond the pale. Cost cutting to the point of rape is where I saw valuable staff simply give up and accept that everyone at the company was into getting as much money out them as you could.
Just disgusting.
Last edited by V-Jet; 13th Sep 2023 at 08:25.
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Cheer up V-Jet, it's not all bad. At least the pollies and judges will be able to read the AFR again.
Sure, the company has still not properly apologised to the 1700 ground workers it illegally sacked, it hasn’t bought new planes, clawed back Alan Joyce’s bonuses, returned COVID-era taxpayer support or ceased to furiously lobby the nation’s politicians. But it has, at least, reopened negotiations with the Transport Workers Union, and restored The Australian Financial Review to its rightful place.
Passengers through Qantas’ hallowed Chairman’s Lounge this week have reported seeing copies of the nation’s preeminent business title on display, while economy-class enthusiasts have been able to access it on the Qantas Wi-Fi. New chief Vanessa Hudson, we have since confirmed, has ended the former CEO’s boycott of this newspaper, which is once more available to Qantas passengers digitally and in corporal form.
The Australian Financial Review is no longer under Qantas boycott. Dominic Lorrimer
Earlier this year, Joyce and his chairman Richard Goyder complained about scathing commentary by Joe Aston in this column to the Financial Review’s senior editors. When that didn’t work, the airline “rationalised” the number of newspapers on offer to its customers.
Through it all, this newspaper continued to publish commentary that was critical of Qantas, and still does. Yet, with Joyce gone, the company’s never-official Financial Review ban has been overturned, seemingly restoring us, as far as Qantas is concerned, to (nearly) staid respectability. Hallelujah.
Not even our competitors believed that excuse. Some of our readers even took to bringing in and leaving physical copies of this newspaper in Qantas lounges: part protest, part gift to fellow weary travellers. We’ve never felt so illicit.
Through it all, this newspaper continued to publish commentary that was critical of Qantas, and still does. Yet, with Joyce gone, the company’s never-official Financial Review ban has been overturned, seemingly restoring us, as far as Qantas is concerned, to (nearly) staid respectability. Hallelujah.
https://www.afr.com/rear-window/qant...0230913-p5e4e9
A new era has dawned at Qantas.
Sure, the company has still not properly apologised to the 1700 ground workers it illegally sacked, it hasn’t bought new planes, clawed back Alan Joyce’s bonuses, returned COVID-era taxpayer support or ceased to furiously lobby the nation’s politicians. But it has, at least, reopened negotiations with the Transport Workers Union, and restored The Australian Financial Review to its rightful place.
Passengers through Qantas’ hallowed Chairman’s Lounge this week have reported seeing copies of the nation’s preeminent business title on display, while economy-class enthusiasts have been able to access it on the Qantas Wi-Fi. New chief Vanessa Hudson, we have since confirmed, has ended the former CEO’s boycott of this newspaper, which is once more available to Qantas passengers digitally and in corporal form.
The Australian Financial Review is no longer under Qantas boycott. Dominic Lorrimer
Earlier this year, Joyce and his chairman Richard Goyder complained about scathing commentary by Joe Aston in this column to the Financial Review’s senior editors. When that didn’t work, the airline “rationalised” the number of newspapers on offer to its customers.
Through it all, this newspaper continued to publish commentary that was critical of Qantas, and still does. Yet, with Joyce gone, the company’s never-official Financial Review ban has been overturned, seemingly restoring us, as far as Qantas is concerned, to (nearly) staid respectability. Hallelujah.
Not even our competitors believed that excuse. Some of our readers even took to bringing in and leaving physical copies of this newspaper in Qantas lounges: part protest, part gift to fellow weary travellers. We’ve never felt so illicit.
Through it all, this newspaper continued to publish commentary that was critical of Qantas, and still does. Yet, with Joyce gone, the company’s never-official Financial Review ban has been overturned, seemingly restoring us, as far as Qantas is concerned, to (nearly) staid respectability. Hallelujah.
https://www.afr.com/rear-window/qant...0230913-p5e4e9
Thank Christ for that! I can read the Fin on board.
I’d thought the place was rooned!!
I’d thought the place was rooned!!
Joyce and Goyder should both be stripped of their honours. That would actually hurt them - their egos might finally cop a bruising.
The termination should read, “The rest of Australia has finally woken up to what a bunch of arseholes you are. Sorry, we should have listened to your staff sooner.”.
There would be adequate grounds under section 4(4) of the Terminations and Cancellations Ordinance to undertake such action namely, “if, in the opinion of the Governor General, the holder of the appointment or award has behaved or acted in a manner that has brought disrepute on the Order.”
Would be good to see the unions start a petition to the government to approach the GG to have action taken in this regard.
The termination should read, “The rest of Australia has finally woken up to what a bunch of arseholes you are. Sorry, we should have listened to your staff sooner.”.
There would be adequate grounds under section 4(4) of the Terminations and Cancellations Ordinance to undertake such action namely, “if, in the opinion of the Governor General, the holder of the appointment or award has behaved or acted in a manner that has brought disrepute on the Order.”
Would be good to see the unions start a petition to the government to approach the GG to have action taken in this regard.
Yes: It will be interesting to see whether the Labor government will revoke AJ's AC.
THIRD WORLD STUFF, YOU COULDN’T MAKE THIS UP.
Posted 2h ago2 hours ago, updated 2h ago2 hours ago
Qantas' Chairman’s Lounge has come under scrutiny in recent weeks.(AAP: Joel Carrett)Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article
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COPY LINKSHARESenior public servants from the watchdogs regulating Qantas' consumer relations and aviation safety have accepted complimentary membership to the airline's exclusive Chairman's Lounge, despite their role in regulating the national carrier.
Five of the seven commissioners of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) are members of the invite-only Chairman's Lounge, where alcohol, restaurant-quality meals, and luxurious facilities are available free of charge.
The agency recently launched legal action against the airline for allegedly selling tickets to already cancelled flights.
Read moreThree current board members and three senior executives of the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA), the government body responsible for regulating aviation safety, are also members.
Qantas has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, following the ACCC investigation and questions over its influence on the government's decision to deny Qatar Airway's bid for additional flights to Australian airports.
The Chairman's Lounge — described as the most "exclusive club in the country" and frequented by current and former politicians, corporate heavyweights and celebrities — has been at the centre of the debate after it was revealed that Anthony Albanese's adult son was granted membership.
Federal parliamentarians and their spouses are automatically invited to join, but the privilege is typically not extended to other family members.
Qantas has repeatedly refused to divulge details of the lounge, its membership, or the eligibility process. "I'm afraid we don't comment on the Chairman's Lounge," a spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a member of Qantas' Chairman's Lounge, and last month it was revealed that his adult son had also been granted access. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
Those commissioners have been involved in making decisions relating to Qantas' conduct, including in the recent investigation into the alleged sale of already cancelled flights. The agency alleges that Qantas advertised tickets to more than 8,000 cancelled flights between May and June last year, which they say amounted to false, misleading or deceptive conduct.
"Decisions by the Commission are made collectively, impartially and on their merits," the spokesperson said.
"The ACCC Commissioner’s gifts and hospitality register has disclosed for some time that some commissioners were provided with access to the Chairman’s Lounge."
Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce departed the airline two months ahead of schedule. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)A CASA spokesperson confirmed that six people across the organisation's board and senior executive have been gifted membership to the Qantas Chairman's Lounge and/or the Virgin Beyond Lounges.
"The total is made up of CASA's CEO (who is a senior executive and board member but is counted only once), a further three current CASA board members and two current senior executives," they said. "Some of these memberships have carried over from previous roles."
The ABC is not suggesting that members of the Chairman's Lounge have engaged in any wrongdoing,only that it reveals the reach of Qantas’s free club membership in the public service and could contribute to the perception of conflicts of interest.
A Fair Work Commission spokesperson did not confirm whether any of their representatives were Chairman's Lounge members, stating: "Any such memberships are a matter between the airline and the member personally."
The Australian Public Service Commission requires agency heads to publicly disclose any gifts or benefits valued at more than $100 received by organisation staff in the performance of their duties. The Fair Work Commission's register does not list any gifts or benefits since 2019.
"Fair Work Commission Members are independent statutory appointments and not APS employees. Accordingly, the Australian Public Services Commissioner's directions on the disclosure of gifts and benefits only applies to commission staff, not Members," the Commission spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for the Fair Work Ombudsman confirmed that neither the Ombudsman Anna Booth nor the deputy ombudsmen are members.
Read moreThe court unanimously dismissed Qantas' appeal on Wednesday, after the Federal Court previously found the decision to outsource the jobs of baggage handlers and cleaners breached the law. Qantas has maintained the decision was made for sound commercial reasons.
A High Court spokesperson said the fact that judges were members of the Chairman's Lounge was disclosed to parties prior to the hearing of the Qantas matter and no objection was raised.
Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine told RN Breakfast on Wednesday that he did not see the judges' Chairman's Lounge membership as an issue. "We don't think it's rational to take the position that the High Court judges, literally the judges that are the most astute legal minds in our community, would be influenced by membership of the Chairman's Lounge in any decision," he said.
The chief executive officer and principal registrar of the Federal Court and the president of the National Native Title Tribunal have also previously disclosed their membership to the lounge, according to the Federal Court's gifts and benefits register.
Members are permitted to bring a guest when travelling with them, and there is no fee for joining. Membership lasts for two years, at the end of which it is either renewed or revoked at Qantas' discretion.
Inside the Sydney Chairman's Lounge.(Supplied)Inside the lounge, an a la carte menu, buffet, and open bar are available round the clock. Members are also able to make use of luxury showers and meeting rooms, while staff provide personalised notifications about boarding times and flight changes.
"The thing that always struck me the most is that you were always waited on hand and foot by really attentive hospitality staff," a regular guest to the lounge told ABC News.
Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, and Greens' leader Adam Bandt are all Chairman's Lounge members, as well as a long list of politicians from both sides of the aisle.
Earlier this week, Nine Newspapers published a survey that reportedly found 70 per cent of voters believed it was unacceptable for political leaders to accept free membership to exclusive clubs like the Chairman's Lounge
Senior public servants responsible for regulating Qantas accepted Chairman’s Lounge invitations
By Maani TruuPosted 2h ago2 hours ago, updated 2h ago2 hours ago
Link copied
COPY LINKSHARESenior public servants from the watchdogs regulating Qantas' consumer relations and aviation safety have accepted complimentary membership to the airline's exclusive Chairman's Lounge, despite their role in regulating the national carrier.
Five of the seven commissioners of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) are members of the invite-only Chairman's Lounge, where alcohol, restaurant-quality meals, and luxurious facilities are available free of charge.
The agency recently launched legal action against the airline for allegedly selling tickets to already cancelled flights.
Inside the secretive Qantas Chairman’s Lounge
It’s tucked away in six of Australia’s airports, well hidden from the average traveller. Inside, some of Australia’s most powerful enjoy five-star food and wine as they await their flights. But when you ask about the Chairman’s Lounge, Qantas has no comment.Read moreThree current board members and three senior executives of the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA), the government body responsible for regulating aviation safety, are also members.
Qantas has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, following the ACCC investigation and questions over its influence on the government's decision to deny Qatar Airway's bid for additional flights to Australian airports.
The Chairman's Lounge — described as the most "exclusive club in the country" and frequented by current and former politicians, corporate heavyweights and celebrities — has been at the centre of the debate after it was revealed that Anthony Albanese's adult son was granted membership.
Federal parliamentarians and their spouses are automatically invited to join, but the privilege is typically not extended to other family members.
Qantas has repeatedly refused to divulge details of the lounge, its membership, or the eligibility process. "I'm afraid we don't comment on the Chairman's Lounge," a spokesperson said.
Regulators involved in Qantas matters
Four of the five ACCC commissioners who are Chairman's Lounge members were invited to join after commencing their roles with the agency, while one commissioner's membership predates their involvement with the ACCC, a spokesperson said.Those commissioners have been involved in making decisions relating to Qantas' conduct, including in the recent investigation into the alleged sale of already cancelled flights. The agency alleges that Qantas advertised tickets to more than 8,000 cancelled flights between May and June last year, which they say amounted to false, misleading or deceptive conduct.
"Decisions by the Commission are made collectively, impartially and on their merits," the spokesperson said.
"The ACCC Commissioner’s gifts and hospitality register has disclosed for some time that some commissioners were provided with access to the Chairman’s Lounge."
"The total is made up of CASA's CEO (who is a senior executive and board member but is counted only once), a further three current CASA board members and two current senior executives," they said. "Some of these memberships have carried over from previous roles."
The ABC is not suggesting that members of the Chairman's Lounge have engaged in any wrongdoing,only that it reveals the reach of Qantas’s free club membership in the public service and could contribute to the perception of conflicts of interest.
A Fair Work Commission spokesperson did not confirm whether any of their representatives were Chairman's Lounge members, stating: "Any such memberships are a matter between the airline and the member personally."
The Australian Public Service Commission requires agency heads to publicly disclose any gifts or benefits valued at more than $100 received by organisation staff in the performance of their duties. The Fair Work Commission's register does not list any gifts or benefits since 2019.
"Fair Work Commission Members are independent statutory appointments and not APS employees. Accordingly, the Australian Public Services Commissioner's directions on the disclosure of gifts and benefits only applies to commission staff, not Members," the Commission spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for the Fair Work Ombudsman confirmed that neither the Ombudsman Anna Booth nor the deputy ombudsmen are members.
High Court judges also members
All seven sitting High Court judges have also accepted invitations to the club, the court confirmed this week, before handing down a decision in a long-running case between Qantas and the Transport Workers Union over the sacking of 1,700 ground staff during the pandemic.High Court finds Qantas acted illegally when sacking 1,700 ground crew
Qantas took a long-running battle with the Transport Workers' Union over sacked staff to the High Court.Read moreThe court unanimously dismissed Qantas' appeal on Wednesday, after the Federal Court previously found the decision to outsource the jobs of baggage handlers and cleaners breached the law. Qantas has maintained the decision was made for sound commercial reasons.
A High Court spokesperson said the fact that judges were members of the Chairman's Lounge was disclosed to parties prior to the hearing of the Qantas matter and no objection was raised.
Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine told RN Breakfast on Wednesday that he did not see the judges' Chairman's Lounge membership as an issue. "We don't think it's rational to take the position that the High Court judges, literally the judges that are the most astute legal minds in our community, would be influenced by membership of the Chairman's Lounge in any decision," he said.
The chief executive officer and principal registrar of the Federal Court and the president of the National Native Title Tribunal have also previously disclosed their membership to the lounge, according to the Federal Court's gifts and benefits register.
Inside the lounges
There are six Chairman's Lounges across the country, tucked away behind unmarked doors in the domestic airports of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth.Members are permitted to bring a guest when travelling with them, and there is no fee for joining. Membership lasts for two years, at the end of which it is either renewed or revoked at Qantas' discretion.
"The thing that always struck me the most is that you were always waited on hand and foot by really attentive hospitality staff," a regular guest to the lounge told ABC News.
Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, and Greens' leader Adam Bandt are all Chairman's Lounge members, as well as a long list of politicians from both sides of the aisle.
Earlier this week, Nine Newspapers published a survey that reportedly found 70 per cent of voters believed it was unacceptable for political leaders to accept free membership to exclusive clubs like the Chairman's Lounge
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So, in the last 2 weeks (in fact its been a long road to get here, but only has it been acknowledged in the last 2 weeks) Qantas' management have exposed the company to potentially in excess of 1B dollars in fines and compensation, and that doesn't even begin the put a figure on the cost of the brand damage. Well done dickheads.
This train wreck has been going on for years, the front line staff knew it but no one listened and then the Swiss cheese model came out and the holes all lined up. It couldn’t have happened to a greater bunch of …..