AFR's Joe Aston goes BAM!

[justinbrett]

The TL/DR of the excerpt is “The QF CL is an exclusive invitation only club that has members who are too poor to own a private jet and too influential for QF to use to its own advantage when necessary “.

Yes, the irony is that the PM and other important ministers rarely use it because they’re flying RAAF VIP.

 

[RooFlyer]

I started to read this and it just went on and on. Joe must have been paid by the word. He does not know how to use brevity to convey a message or deliver knockout punches.

Its a book extract. Not a newspaper column.

The author, the book precis and much of the thread immediately bring to mind a famour Russian physiologist who's name starts with P.

Viktor Protopopov ?

Yes, the irony is that the PM and other important ministers rarely use it because they’re flying RAAF VIP.

I think the point that was being made is that Albanese in particular was cultivated during his term in opposition (and not the only one of course). And I reckon his son uses the CL, not RAAF? And of course while PM, the PM will have an eye on the time he retires.

 

[Kerrodt]

The author, the book precis and much of the thread immediately bring to mind a famour Russian physiologist who's name starts with P.

Actually, more like a dog with a bone that won’t let go.

 

[Kerrodt]

Its a book extract. Not a newspaper column.



Viktor Protopopov ?



I think the point that was being made is that Albanese in particular was cultivated during his term in opposition (and not the only one of course). And I reckon his son uses the CL, not RAAF? And po course while PM, the PM will have an eye on the time he retires.

But we already know this. Both from the great articles that Joe wrote in the AFR plus other articles written plus just plain common sense.

 

[Aggi]

I read the article in the Age this morning. He makes some good points and in my view public servants and politicians should not be allowed to accept a Chairman’s Lounge membership (or fly business class on a 1 hour flight!). However it seems very one sided, the Liberal politicians accept these perks just as much as the Labor ones.

 

[RooFlyer]

But we already know this. Both from the great articles that Joe wrote in the AFR plus other articles written plus just plain common sense.

Oh, I think there will a bit more than in his columns; certainly more comment from past or present insiders. Publisher wouldn't be that interested, else.

Besides the Qantas antagonism, investigations about how politicians and major public figures accept 'hospitality' when it is a potential or actual conflict of interest should always be of interest. I mean, giving the PM's son CL access is pretty outrageous.

 

[Kerrodt]

Oh, I think there will a bit more than in his columns; certainly more comment from past or present insiders. Publisher wouldn't be that interested, else.

Besides the Qantas antagonism, investigations about how politicians and major public figures accept 'hospitality' when it is a potential or actual conflict of interest should always be of interest. I mean, giving the PM's son CL access is pretty outrageous.

Yep I agree with you and I hope there are more bombshells.

The fact that the PM’s son was granted CL access is truly outrageous. The fact that nothing has been done about it is far more outrageous.

 

[justinbrett]

I think the point that was being made is that Albanese in particular was cultivated during his term in opposition (and not the only one of course). And I reckon his son uses the CL, not RAAF? And of course while PM, the PM will have an eye on the time he retires.

But they get CL membership regardless.

Bridget McKenzie has access (and declares it) yet is the most anti-QF politician in parliament.

I think his son got it as his +1 when he was in between partners. Not sure if that was ongoing now he’s got a new partner.

But yes the current PM has strong links to QF from his time as transport minister. That’s not because of the CL.

 

[levelnine]

I think the point that was being made is that Albanese in particular was cultivated during his term in opposition (and not the only one of course). And I reckon his son uses the CL, not RAAF? And of course while PM, the PM will have an eye on the time he retires.

You're not allowed to have actually read the piece and understood it before commenting. That's against AFF rules.

 

[cma_369]

Yep I agree with you and I hope there are more bombshells.

The fact that the PM’s son was granted CL access is truly outrageous. The fact that nothing has been done about it is far more outrageous.

To be fair, I think the 3x return first class flights to London for board kiddies (I'd imagine this is set value not location?) Is probably the most outrageous thing I've learnt over the past 24 hours.

Need to give AJ credit, sure knew how to play the long game! Mr Housing Comission sure knew how to leverage economy sale flights too..

'Bad Alan, how could you ground our national strategic carrier due to those pesky unions that our government is in bed with, i'm now in a real pickle with Julia and Wayne'.

 

[SYD]

You're not allowed to have actually read the piece and understood it before commenting. That's against AFF rules.

I read the article, (won’t buy or read the book). But axe and grind are words that come to mind not used in the same sentence.

 

[CaptJCool]

AFR
Pages 34, 35, dirty6 & 37


Wow

 

[CaptJCool]

Pure gold
$5,000 One-way J tics from Melbourne to Perth
WTF are were they thinking ?

 

[Princess Fiona]

But they get CL membership regardless.

Bridget McKenzie has access (and declares it) yet is the most anti-QF politician in parliament.

I think his son got it as his +1 when he was in between partners. Not sure if that was ongoing now he’s got a new partner.

But yes the current PM has strong links to QF from his time as transport minister. That’s not because of the CL.

The article has QF sources saying the CL membership for his son was requested by Albanese after he became PM in 2022.

He was definitely not between partners then appearing all over the media with his now fiancée.
She would be CL. The son’s membership a discretionary extra.

 

[justinbrett]

The article has QF sources saying the CL membership for his son was requested by Albanese after he became PM in 2022.

He was definitely not between partners then appearing all over the media with his now fiancée.
She would be CL. The son’s membership a discretionary extra.

That may be so but I’m not sure at which date you get granted CL. 3rd date perhaps?

They were still a very new couple when he won the election.

 

[CaptJCool]

That may be so but I’m not sure at which date you get granted CL. 3rd date perhaps?

They were still a very new couple when he won the election.

Prob the 6 date… LMAO

 

[SYD]

Prob the 6 date… LMAO

Depends on the flow of preferences…

 

[Princess Fiona]

That may be so but I’m not sure at which date you get granted CL. 3rd date perhaps?

They were still a very new couple when he won the election.

2 years ?
They were first papped in June 2020.
Anyone who thinks that Nathan was given CL in lieu of her I have a bridge to sell you.

 

[justinbrett]

2 years ?
They were first papped in June 2020.
Anyone who thinks that Nathan was given CL in lieu of her I have a bridge to sell you.

Getting off topic but she said it wasn’t serious until he had his car crash in 2021.

My point was, as someone who’s not really using the lounge, I’m not sure it was high on the priority list to get her membership.

Or maybe it was, if he did that for his son. I haven’t seen him confirm that. I thought he denied it. But now with the news about the upgrade requests - perhaps the book is written about the wrong person.

 

[p--and--t]

Yep I agree with you and I hope there are more bombshells.

The fact that the PM’s son was granted CL access is truly outrageous. The fact that nothing has been done about it is far more outrageous

I honestly don't understand the angst. Almost nobody that has membership has earned it. What if it was the PM'S.wife or the PM'S ex wife, or his girlfriend/lover or his butler or his grandfather.. What difference does it make. A huge storm in a teacup

And who do you expect to do anything about it. It's not public money, it's not against the law, it is exactly the same as all the other freebie memberships.