Qantas Chairman’s Lounge used to punish or reward politicians: Palmer

Clive Palmer, whose political party used its Senate power to save Qantas from foreign ownership, has called for the airline to immediately abolish its controversial Chairman’s Lounge.

Mr Palmer said the lounge was a disgraceful perk used to reward or punish politicians, and as a haven for lobbyists to do their dark and dirty deals.

The Palmer United Party used its Senate power to block then Prime Minster Tony Abbott’s hopes of ending Qantas’ foreign ownership restrictions in 2014.

“At the time Alan Joyce was lobbying all sides of government, looking to sell off Qantas to his Irish private equity mates.

“Politicians were more interested in a free lunch than the interests of Australians.”

Mr Palmer said Joyce purposely ran Qantas into the ground for it to be bought cheaply through privatisation.

“You only have to look at the value of the airline now compared to what Alan Joyce wanted it sold to him and his mates for, it raises serious questions,” he said.

Mr Palmer said blocking the privatisation of Qantas was one of his proudest political achievements. At the time, Alan Joyce hit back by cancelling Mr Palmer’s own Chairman’s Lounge privileges.

“The Chairman’s Lounge was used to reward or punish politicians based on vested interests.

“If the Qantas Chairman is serious about restoring the airline’s reputation, he needs to abolish the Chairman’s Lounge,” Mr Palmer said.

“All politicians who are members of the lounge should be under scrutiny, and should resign from the Chairman’s club,” he said.

“The lounge has proven that Australian politicians can be bought cheaply. Although I fly in my own jet, I have frequented the Virgin lounge on occasions, which is better,” he said.