Geelong MPs’ exclusive club membership revealed in latest declarations

Geelong’s three federal MPs have revealed their membership to an ultra-exclusive club, among other perks that include free President’s Lunch tickets to the Cats.

Membership to the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge is strictly invite-only.

Geelong’s three locally based federal politicians are members of “probably the most exclusive club in the country”, new documents show.

Richard Marles, Libby Coker and Sarah Henderson each listed a complimentary Qantas Chairman’s Lounge membership on their latest register of interests, lodged in recent days.

Access to the invite-only lounge is offered to all federal politicians and in Mr Marles’ case, he has also listed a membership for his wife, lawyer Rachel Schutze.

Mr Marles’ initial declaration did not include the memberships, raising the possibility that he had declined the gift after Qantas was last week fined $90m in the Federal Court over its unlawful sacking of 1820 workers during the Covid pandemic.

The Transport Workers’ Union, which Mr Marles is a member of, launched the action and will pocket $50m, while the distribution of the remaining $40m will be decided at a later date.

However, Mr Marles’ documentation was updated this week following questions from the Addy.

“There was a human error in relation to this specific part of the declaration of interests which was immediately rectified when brought to the office’s attention,” a spokeswoman said.

The vast majority of federal parliamentarians are members of the lounge, which former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce famously described as the “probably the most exclusive club in the country”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, pictured here with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce, came under scrutiny when it was revealed his son was a member of the exclusive of Qantas Chairman’s Lounge.

There are six lounge locations – in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth airports – and each offers an up-market setting where some of the country’s most influential people can mingle, in a private room if need be.

Each membership is personally approved by the Qantas chairman or chief executive in a process that is viewed by many as a key plank of the company’s lobbying machine.

Asked if she contemplated relinquishing her membership in light of the Federal Court ruling, a spokesman for Ms Coker defended her membership.

“The Member for Corangamite and the Labor Party has stood with the Qantas workers since 2020, when their employment was illegally impacted during the pandemic,” he said.

“The Member for Corangamite has declared all her interests in line with the rules.”

Ms Henderson did not respond to questions.

The Qantas Chairman’s Lounge in Brisbane. Picture: Supplied.

While Qantas has an iron grip of the estimated $250m travel market for politicians and public servants, the local trio each listed a complimentary membership to the Virgin Australia lounge.

Mr Marles, a keen Cats fan, received two President’s Lunch tickets to Geelong’s home games against Greater Western Sydney, Brisbane and Essendon this season, while Ms Coker did the same for the round four clash against Melbourne.

Mr Marles and Ms Henderson listed ownership of three properties, including one each in Canberra, while Ms Coker listed two properties.

Originally published as Geelong MPs’ exclusive club membership revealed in latest declarations