❓ Opposition MP Huston requests detailed information on Qantas Chairman's Lounge access and flight upgrades for Ministers, staff, and public servants over several years. The government responds by highlighting its commitment to transparency through annual tabling of Ministerial gift registers and criticizes the previous government's record.
AnsweredQoN 229Legislative Assembly
Asked
18 June 2025
Member
Portfolio
Premier; Minister for State Development; Trade and Investment; Economic Diversification
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Provide details of all Ministers, Ministerial staff or WA Public Service (WAPS) officers within responsible departments or agencies provision of Qantas Club Chairman's Lounge passes or memberships for the following periods: (a) 2019-2020; (b) 2020-2021; (c) 2021-2022; (d) 2022-2023; (e) 2023-2024; and (f) 2024-2025? (2) Details provided are to include: (a) Position held in WAPS in any or all of the above periods; (b) Recipient name; (c) Recipient Minister, Department, GTE or agency; (d) Confirmation of the current position of the recipient in the WAPS (or if departed, say "Departed WAPS"); (e) Evidence that the Chairman's Lounge has been registered or declared in the Department or agency gift register for each of the periods above - provide date of entry and extract of entry. If not provided or detailed in the register, why not; (f) A statement if any travel or use of the lounge by a WAPS officer was utilised for non work travel, if so, provide date of travel, stop overs and final destination. Provide for each instance.; (g) A statement from officers if private family members or non WAPS passengers accompanied the WAPS officer whilst using the Chairman's Lounge. Provide details where applicable. Provide for each instance of use; and (h) For each instance provide the nominal value in AUD for each upgrade and/or valuation ascribed to general membership, as per WAPS gift register policy? (3) For each period and instance detail any flight upgrades (Including Departure Dates, Stopovers and Final Destinations) provided to WAPS pertaining to: (a) Private travel; (b) Official work travel for the WA Government; and (c) Family or accompanying non WAPS passengers? (4) Confirm that membership of or gifting of the QANTAS Chairman's Lounge or provision of flight upgrades are a notifiable or declaration event in your Departmental Gift Policies. If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2025
Response time
5 days
(1-4) The State Labor Government announced in 2022 that Ministerial gift registers will be tabled every year, as part of the Members of Parliament Annual Return.
This goes over and above any legislative or cabinet requirement and demonstrates the Cook Government’s commitment to transparency.
This is in stark contrast to the previous Liberal National Government, which did not once table a compliant gift register in their more than eight years in Government.
Additionally, a summary of all international official air travel by each Minister, Parliamentary Secretary or Government officer is published and tabled in Parliament.
This goes over and above any legislative or cabinet requirement and demonstrates the Cook Government’s commitment to transparency.
This is in stark contrast to the previous Liberal National Government, which did not once table a compliant gift register in their more than eight years in Government.
Additionally, a summary of all international official air travel by each Minister, Parliamentary Secretary or Government officer is published and tabled in Parliament.
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