Qantas Chairman’s Lounge memberships, V8 Supercars tickets, dinner at Kerry Stokes’ mansion revealed

This included $13 million last year; this was approximately 15 percent of the event’s total donations.

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All ministers who attended the event were given a book as a gift by the Stokes family.

Qantas rolls out the red carpet for political elites

MPs’ statements, tabled in parliament this week, also reveal ministers’ and opposition leaders’ continuing love affair with membership in the exclusive Qantas President’s Lounge.

Cook, Saffioti, Carey, Hammat, Defense Industry Minister Paul Papalia and Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson all hold Presidential Hall memberships; it’s a free travel privilege that gives them access to special amenities at airports away from the public.

Cook found himself in hot water last November when it emerged that he had not declared his membership in the scheme following increased scrutiny from Commonwealth ministers over his membership of the programme.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas and former National Party leader Mia Davies also declared in their statements that they are members of the program.

strange explanations

The revelations also reveal the weird and wonderful gifts given to MPs and ministers.

Scarborough MP Stuary Aubrey revealed her $20,000 raffle winnings at the Happiness Co Foundation gala ball in October last year, half of which she said were donated to Ocean Heroes Australia and half to Mens Talk AU.

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Warren Blackwood National MP Bevan Eatts scored a double whammy by accepting two tickets to V8 Supercars from Optus. Eatts accepted the tickets before the Optus triple zero debacle.

Cook nurtured his famous love of electronic dance music by accepting $500 worth of tickets to a Ministry of Sound concert at King’s Park from promoter Brad Mellen.

It also accepted a “ball weight” of spodumene from Pilbara Minerals in July last year. Spodumene is the precursor mineral of lithium.

Housing minister Carey received a cement spatula from builder ADCO.

Jarvis received a half rump ham from meat producer Craig Mostyn Group on December 3 last year, but his Christmas dinner was truly taken care of 13 days later when his office received another half rump ham from Australian Pork.

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