The existence of an exclusive hideaway for the country's
movers and shakers where secret deals were done in private luxury first exploded into the public eye back in 2007.
Back then, the fact that Qantas spent hundreds of thousands
of dollars wining and dining the nation's political elite in ultra-exclusive VIP lounges was relatively unknown.
It was a time before Alan Joyce's tenure as the CEO of Qantas had even started,
when he was boss of the comparatively lowly budget airline, Jetstar.
And unlike Anthony Albanese's current slide in the polls leading up to an election in next year, the prospects back in 2007
were rosy for Labor.
The election that was looming was the 'Kevin 07'
landslide that would see Kevin Rudd become prime minister and John Howard lose his own seat.
The issue which blew open the 'guilty secret' of the Chairman's Lounge then wasn't about a prime
minister's privileges, although John Howard and Kevin Rudd were
certainly both members during their terms as PM.
But when broadcaster Steve Price - himself a long time Chairman's Lounge member - revealed a politically charged remark made within the club's hallowed walls, the cat was out of the
bag.
The political revelation - a comment by ex-rock star turned senator Peter Garrett that Labor
would change the policies it campaigned on if it won government - did not deter his party
from romping in on election day.
In contrast, the scandal currently engulfing Anthony Albanese about his Chairman's Lounge membership and that of his ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt,
and their son Nathan could bring down the prime minister.
The exclusive Qantas Chairman's Lounge (above) has been a well-kept secret
for years, but it exploded into the public conscience in 2007 as the result of
a political furore
Broadcaster Steve Price revealed he had been a Chairman's Lounge member since 2002
during a row before the 2007 election won by Kevin Rudd which let
the cat out of the bag about the VIP club
The existence of the lounge was so little known back in 2007 that in defending his disclosure of Garrett's remark, Steve Price
had to explain what the private enclave actually was.
In a first person piece he wrote: 'The Chairman's Lounge
is a separate frequent flyers lounge away from the crowded
normal Qantas Club.
'As its name implies, the people given access to it are approved
by the Qantas chairman, Margaret Jackson.
'I have been a Chairman's Lounge member since 2002.'
In his opinion piece, Price also revealed TV entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins was also
a member of lounge.
Wilkins had also been inside at the time and was his
only witness to the remark Price said Garrett had
made.
Other prominent media figures, such as 60 Minutes reporters, actors and performers, and well-known writers and sports people are said to be
among the lounge's exclusive membership of around 6000.
Price went on to defend himself for reporting what some claimed was a
confidential conversation in a private place, but which exposed him
to criticism over his own membership for allegedly promoting Qantas on his radio show.
Back in 2007, Alan Joyce (left) was boss of the comparatively lowly budget airline Jetstar, and then Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon (right) had the power over who made the cut to the Chairman's Lounge
One observer has described the relationship bet6ween leading politicians such as
PM Anthony Albanese and the former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (above) as 'alarmingly cosy'
'Why on earth is Qantas giving a controversial shock jock membership of
its Chairman's Lounge, which is supposedly to enable our elite politicians and business leaders some privacy from the
hoi polloi?' demanded Crikey reporter Stephen Mayne at the time.
'The Chairman's Lounge is meant to be all about discretion and confidentiality,'
he said, accusing Price of breaking 'a confidence'.
The following year, before he was succeeded as Qantas CEO by Alan Joyce, Geoff Dixon was the sole gatekeeper
of entry into the club's hushed confines.
Qantas Chairman's Lounge membership was 'so exclusive that you have
to be personally invited by the airline's chieftain', Nine newspapers reported in 2008.
'A marvellous benefit of lounge membership is that the mega rich and
powerful avoid having to mingle with the riffraff who will be travelling cattle class.
'Having said that, members of the ultra-exclusive club have
included Pauline Hanson.
'Another lounge member is Brad Cooper, who is currently enjoying a prolonged
exposure to cattle-class in Kirkconnell Correctional Centre.'
(Cooper was the former HIH insurance executive jailed for eight years on fraud and bribery offences).
Membership of the elite lounge is confined to about 6000 Australians
including politicians from both sides, senior public servants, TV stars
and actors
The 'scandal' currently engulfing Anthony Albanese about his Chairman's Lounge membership and that of his ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt, and their son Nathan could bring down the prime minister (above the PM with partner Jodie Haydon and
ex-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce)
The report noted that politicians declaring membership of the lounge 'which most of their spouses got too' in their pecuniary interests that year included Liberal MPs of the day, Philip Ruddock, Bob Baldwin and
Andrew Southcott.
Labor MPs with lounge privileges included Tanya
Plibersek, Bob McMullan, and Sharon Grierson, and Martin Ferguson declared a bottle of
Grange hermitage as a gift from Qantas, as did Liberal,
Christopher Pyne.
Asked if all MPs got the captain's pick from Geoff Dixon, the airline's spokesperson told Nine:
'We like to retain a bit of mystery. Membership is by invitation only and it is reviewed periodically.'
Fast forward to today, and nearly every single federal politician in the country has accepted free membership
of the controversial, invitation-only lounge with one even describing it as an 'entitlement'.
Qantas and the Albanese government recently denied the 'very, very
high-end perk' gives the airline a disproportionate level of influence over the country's politicians.
They were commenting ahead of the launch of the new book The
Chairman's Lounge by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston, which
has stirred up the controversy.
A Daily Mail Australia audit of the members' interest registers - in both
Federal Parliament's House of Representatives and the Senate - revealed almost 93 per cent of the nation's leaders have been 'gifted' membership
to the lavish, all-inclusive lounge.
Mr Albanese has defended himself by saying he declared all his benefits in pecuniary interest statements.
At a press conference this week, he repeated that all of his upgrades 'have been declared
as appropriate. What's appropriate is transparency.'
Apart from the PM, members include every one of his 22-person Cabinet,
his seven-person Outer Ministry and all 12 assistant ministers.
PM Anthony Albanese and every member of his 22-person Cabinet, his seven-person Outer
Ministry and all 12 assistant ministers are members of the
exclusive Chairman's Lounge
Entry to the country's six opulent VIP clubs
are suitably discreet, but once inside, the designer lounges offer free à la carte
fine dining, table service and a discreet army of dedicated lounge attendants
On the Coalition side of parliament, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, deputy leader David
Littleproud and former deputy Barnaby Joyce are also among the
swathes of politicians who have disclosed they have taken up free membership to the contentious club.
Bill Shorten is a member, Tanya Plibersek is still a member and so is Teal MP,
Zali Steggall.
Last year it was reported that Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb and
Australian Securities and Investments Commission chairman Joe Longo and some of
their deputies are members of the Chairman's Lounge despite regulating the
airline.
Senior public servants in the club included Department
of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Glyn Davis,
deputy secretaries Nadine Williams, Liz Hefren-Webb, Rachel Bacon and ambassador
to Beijing, Scott Dewar.
Other Qantas freebies bestowed on members include numerous business class flight upgrades, model Qantas aircrafts, frequent flyer
points, and tickets to sporting and entertainment events.
Touted as 'the most exclusive club in the country',
membership to the Chairman's Lounge is still veiled in secrecy.
The new book The Chairman's Lounge by former
Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston (above) has stirred up
the controversy
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb and Australian Securities and Investments Commission chairman Joe Longo are members despite
regulating the airline
Even the entrances to each of the country's six opulent VIP clubs - in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide,
Canberra and Perth airports - are suitably discreet.
Once inside, however, the designer lounges are noticeably luxurious, with free à la carte fine dining, table service, a decadent
selection of wines and Champagne and a discreet army
of dedicated lounge attendants.
Virgin Airlines has its own version of the VIP enclave, the
'Beyond' lounge.
Only a handful of federal politicians have relinquished their membership to the Qantas Chairman's Lounge in the
wake of the furore.
The select few to take a principled stand on the issue include South Australian senator Barbara
Pocock and former Wallabies star turned ACT senator David Pocock, along with MPs Stephen Bates, Queensland Green Elizabeth Watson-Brown,
and Monique Ryan, a Teal from Victoria.
Geoffrey Watson SC, a former counsel assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption and a director
of the Centre for Public Integrity, has implored all politicians and policymakers to follow suit.
'There are certain positions in life where you cannot take Chairman's Club membership,
' he said.
'You're taking public money for the job and you are supposed to represent the public.
Why not sit with them while you're waiting
for a plane?'
QantasAnthony Albanese
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Lisa Vanderpump has purchased a $5 million Las Vegas mansion.
The 64-year-old Bravo beauty decided to buy the Sin City abode after taking an in-person tour
of the premises, which is situated on a golf course, sources told TMZ on Monday.
The reality star-restaurateur visited the home following production of
the second season of her Hulu series Vanderpump Villa, closing on the transaction in a three-day span, insiders told the
outlet.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum's home in Las
Vegas includes amenities such as a large pool and incredible views of the surrounding desert area, according to the outlet.
The English socialite has been busy decorating the mansion and has 'already settled in,' insiders told the outlet.
Lisa Vanderpump, 64, pictured in LA in January, has purchased a $5 million Las Vegas mansion
With the purchase, Vanderpump and her spouse of 42 years, Ken Todd,
79, expand their real estate portfolio, which also includes their estate in Beverly Hills, called Villa Rosa.
Vanderpump has spent extended stretches in Las Vegas as
she presides over a trio of local establishments.
Read More
EXCLUSIVE
Lisa Vanderpump and husband list West Hollywood condo for $799k
They include Vanderpump à Paris at Paris Las Vegas (opened in 2021), Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesars Palace (opened
in 2019) and Pinky's by Vanderpump, which is slated to open in November
in Flamingo Las Vegas.
'It's truly very exciting for us to be asked to
create a unique concept on the iconic Las Vegas Strip,' Vanderpump
told KNTV in November of 2023.
Vanderpump said, 'We've so enjoyed our relationship with
Caesars Entertainment and we are excited to expand.'
She said Pinky's by Vanderpump would evoke nostalgia of
the gambling town's origins.
'Through our design company, Vanderpump Alain, we are embracing the
unique history of Flamingo Las Vegas and the designs will be reminiscent of a bygone era,' Vanderpump said of
the venue.
She continued: 'Caesars has allowed us the creativity to truly
delve into the Art Deco style and create
something that will encompass the stunning design of that time.
Vanderpump on September 22 took to Instagram with a panoramic shot from what appeared to be
her Southern California mansion, writing, 'Lovely Sunday, glad to be home!'
Vanderpump has spent extended stretches in Las Vegas as she presides
over a trio of local establishments. Pictured at Flamingo Las Vegas
in November of 2023
They include Vanderpump à Paris, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden and Pinky's by
Vanderpump, the latter of which is slated to open in November in Flamingo Las Vegas
'The building will extend into a dramatic conservatory that will enhance
the facade of the Flamingo on the Las Vegas Strip.'
Sources told TMZ that Vanderpump has 'fallen in love with the city,' which is about 285 miles from her
home base of Beverly Hills, which equates to a drive of
about four-and-a-half hours.
Vanderpump on September 22 took to Instagram with a panoramic shot from what appeared to be her Southern California mansion, writing, 'Lovely Sunday,
glad to be home!'
Las VegasReal Housewives of Beverly Hills
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Celine Dion surprised fans by getting soaked with Gatorade on Sunday.
The 56-year-old singer — who recently blasted Donald Trump for using her songs at
a campaign rally without permission — had the orange sports drink poured on her during
a surprise Sunday Night Football intro appearance.
She referenced her song It's All Coming Back
to Me Now while discussing her 'passion' for the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry while rocking a
Super Bowl XXX sweater.
'I think my favorite thing about this game is its power to connect who we are to who we were,
to prove our most powerful memories, our most
enduring loves can stay with us forever. You know what I'm
talking about, right?' she said as her 1996 hit played.
'Sometimes, some nights, it all just comes back,
' she added. 'The love affair. Well, maybe not "love" the way I usually sing about it.
But still… work with me here.'
Celine Dion surprised fans by getting soaked with Gatorade during her surprise Sunday Night
Football intro appearance
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My Heart Will Go On co-writer Will Jennings dies at age 80
Comparing the song to her emotional ties to the sport she said:
'I mean, "When you touch me like this, when you hold me like that." It
kinda fits, no?'
'But really, what beautiful passion it produced, what painful
heartbreak it revealed, so, so long ago. Like so many old flames, it always feels right
when they're back together. Don't you think?'
The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry has been alive since 1976 when the Steelers beat the Cowboys (21-17) during Super
Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII (35-31) in 1979.
But in 1996, the Cowboys reigned supreme in Super Bowl
XXX, beating the Steelers 27-17.
'Like tonight, evoking the kind of magic they once produced.
The Cowboys and the Steelers, a timeless classic on Sunday Night,' the
My Heart Will Go On singer said.
Later in the video fans get a glimpse of Dion appearing surprised as she got coolers full of Gatorade poured
on her.
She was also shown cheering and reveling in the moment while sporting her soaked sweatshirt as liquid dripped off her face.
Earlier on Sunday, the NBC Sports teased her appearance by
sharing a clip of the songstress donning the Superbowl sweatshirt
on their Tiktok account.
Later in the video fans get a glimpse of Dion appearing surprised as she got coolers full of Gatorade poured on her
She referenced her song It's All Coming Back to Me Now while discussing
her 'passion' for the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry while rocking
a Super Bowl XXX sweater
Comparing the song to her emotional ties to the sport she said: 'I mean, "When you touch me like this, when you hold me like that." It kinda fits, no?'
'But really, what beautiful passion it produced, what painful heartbreak it revealed, so, so long ago.
Like so many old flames, it always feels right when they're back together,' she said
They penned in the caption of the teaser clip: 'It's all coming back to Sunday night.'
The Canadian hitmaker's special appearance comes after she preformed Hymne à
l'amour for the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in Paris.
In 2022, the songstress announced she was diagnosed with a serious the neurological condition, stiff person syndrome.
The rare disorder rare has side affects that appear as muscle spasms and can impact her singing ability.
Celine DionDallas CowboysPittsburgh Steelers
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