Ministers correct the record in parliament after failing to declare membership of ritzy Qantas Chairman’s Lounge

Three ministers have been forced to correct the record after they failed to declare free membership of Qantas’ ritzy invitation-only lounge.

Three ministers have been forced to correct the record after they failed to declare free membership of the ritzy invitation-only Qantas Chairman’s Lounge.

Their formal disclosures mean the entire Labor Cabinet is a member of the VIP club.

Trade Minister Nick Champion and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven each told parliament they had taken steps to fix the errors, which appeared on the parliamentary register of interests.

“I took steps yesterday, obviously, to update the register and I do take this opportunity to apologise to the house,” Mr Champion told the Lower House.

He was asked whether he had ever met with the Qantas executive, board members or staff as part of his role, and took the question on notice but later confirmed he had not.

Similarly, Ms Scriven confirmed to the Upper House “I am a member of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge”.

Clare Scriven. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

Nick Champion. Picture: Matt Loxton

“It was brought to my attention, through a media report over the weekend, that I omitted to include that on my register of interests for 2023,” she said.

“As soon as I became aware of that, I rectified the situation by advising the Clerk and requesting that it be added to my register.”

A third minister, Geoff Brock, also had no reference to the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge on his register of interests.

However, a spokeswoman said he was a member and had taken steps to update his declarations.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and the remainder of the Cabinet declared membership of the lounge – despite Mr Malinauskas’ recent criticism of the airline.

Non-government MPs Opposition Leader David Speirs, former premier Steven Marshall and Speaker Dan Cregan also declared they were members.

As part of their free membership, they are attended to by waiters in an exclusive lounge and enjoy generous perks such as free booze, steak dinners and flight upgrades that can be worth thousands of dollars.

The declarations – recorded in the register of interests tabled in parliament earlier this month – come amid scrutiny of the influence Qantas has over the nation’s decision-makers.

The federal government has dismissed accusations it protected the embattled airline from further competition by rejecting a proposal by Qatar Airways to add extra Australian routes.

Qantas illegally sacked nearly 1700 workers during the pandemic. Picture: Supplied

The High Court recently found Qantas illegally sacked nearly 1700 workers during the pandemic, while the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is alleging in the Federal Court that Qantas sold tickets for thousands of flights that had already been cancelled.

A government spokesman said “the Premier will always stick up for the interests of South Australians”.

“He could not have been clearer in his public advocacy for Qantas to uphold its reputation as the national carrier by returning international flights to Adelaide,” he said.

“Mr Malinauskas has also praised Qatar for continuing to stick by South Australians by providing international flights, particularly during the pandemic.”

The spokesman said, under official guidelines in place under successive governments, airline lounge memberships are not classified as gifts provided they are part of a minister’s role and are not given in exchange for favour.

“All MPs should publicly disclose any membership as the Premier has to the parliament,” he said.