Should be absolutely zero pets allowed in the lounge apart from disability assistance. Animals are not allowed in restaurants in Australia for good reason and I don’t see this law being relaxed
100% correct. In an indoor food service venue, the only permitted animals are registered service animals accompanying their registered human handler - proof of eligibility may be required/requested such as wearing their service jacket and photo ID issued by the appropriate state government authority.
There is only a very small list of locations that a certified and registered service animal is not permitted - a commercial food preparation area (i.e. a commercial kitchen) and a hospital or clinical operating theatre. Transport in an ambulance is at the discretion of the operating crew, though may vary by state.
So a carry-on pet should not be permitted in an airline lounge facility. A service animal (registered under an appropriate state government Guide, Hearing and Assistance Animal act) cannot be denied access to an airport lounge or aircraft cabin (or a restaurant, hotel room, any form of public transport etc.).
I know one service dog who travels regularly on both Virgin and Qantas flights (and has also flown Bonza). He is very well known at his "home" airport and the check-in and security staff are always very happy to see him come through. He is also a frequent visitor to airline lounges when his human has lounge access benefits. The paperwork required for such travel is comprehensive, and flight bookings can get complicated. A visit to the service animal relief facility (air-side at major airports) is the regular routine prior to boarding and upon arrive at the destination. He knows the drill.
And there are no concerns about this service dog barking/yapping during a flight. He might snore, but so do many passengers. The only times he ever makes a noise is on command ("speak" = Woof - its a great party trick) or if his human is in need to medical attention (what he is trained to do). So if he was to bark in-flight, its time to ask if there is a doctor on board.
He gets his own window seat allocated and must sit on the floor on a "pee" mat that is provided by the airline at check-in - though its never needed, he is trained to relieve on command and given the opportunity before boarding.
During an emergency evacuation he would likely be calmer than most passengers. He would follow his human, who would scoop him up and they would slide down together just like any parent with a small child would do, even though he weighs a little more than a small child
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