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 m***ve 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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Australians have discovered an unlikely pop-up store offering shoppers 'incredible' deals on clothing, homewares, food, and electronics.


The temporary Vinnies locations have been set up around Victoria to help shoppers get through the cost of living crisis ravaging the country.

Vinnies, or the St Vincent de Paul Society, is a charity that works to provide support and ***stance to people in need.

Most items are brand new stock donated by corporate partners including Christmas decorations.

Popular bargains include $10 large jars of Biscoff, $2 bags of Red Rock Deli chips, and discounted shoes from Boston Bros. 

Shoppers will find men's, women's, and children's clothing, shoes from top brands, and even electrical goods at the Vinnies pop-up locations. 

Many have purchased vacuums, air fryers, Adidas shoes, printers, and kitchen knives from previous pop-up shops. 

There is presently a location in Ascot Vale which is open until 3 November, and another in Boronia which will remain open until Christmas - or until stock runs out. 




Australians have discovered an unlikely pop-up store offering shoppers 'incredible' deals on clothing, homewares, food, and electronics











Popular bargains include $10 large jars of Biscoff, $2 bags of Red Rock Deli chips, and discounted shoes from Boston Bros

A new store will open in Richmond at Dimmey's on 7 November. 

The themed Richmond location will focus on goods for Christmas, summer, and the holiday season - but it will also include household items, Bric-à-brac, and electrical items.

Shoppers have shared their thoughts on the pop-up locations online.

'They have all the trending products - it's so awesome,' one said.

'I bought a hair dryer from Vinnies and I'm obsessed with it,' another wrote.

'I always have such good luck at Vinnies, I have to go,' a woman added.

For those interested in the finer things, shoppers have discovered a 'hidden gem' discount retailer where you can find designer buys from brands like Fendi, Dior, and Aje for affordable prices.

TK Maxx - which has stores in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia - is the answer to buying new clothes and shoes on a budget.











TK Maxx has stores in New South Wales , Victoria, Queensland and South Australia 

Beth Zazlan, from Queensland, recently found a gold mine of clothing lines from Australian brands like Camilla and Marc, Acler, Bec+Bridge, Shona Joy, Dion Lee, Zimmerman, and Acler.

'I was there for a pillow but I ended up grabbing some sparkly earrings from [American jewellery brand] Badgley Mischka,' Beth told FEMAIL.

TK Maxx sells old stock from previous seasons - and shoppers have described it as a 'clearance treasure hunt'.

Many have seen bags from Fendi, Dior, and Bottega Venetta on sale.

Others have spotted Gucci and Versace sunglasses, Hugo Boss accessories, and Christopher Esber dresses.


Beth said, 'I was truly blown away - so if you're looking for a bargain, head there.'

A David Jones employee revealed in a comment that discounted items from stores that aren't sold are shipped to TK Maxx.