Rex gifting lounge membership to all sitting MPs

[Mattg]

According to this article in The Age:

Qantas is hardly alone in its pursuit of the political crowd. Virgin also invites all sitting pollies to join its Club lounge, while this month, newly minted domestic carrier Rex has also extended membership of its airport lounges to all sitting MPs.

Interesting that Rex is now inviting all politicians into their lounges. Not quite "Chairmans Lounge" but they are making an effort.

 

[henrus]

Join the elite rex lounge club... just $329 or free if your an MP.

I'd argue this doesn't pass the pub test but then again neither does giving CL or the Club to MP's. I can't wait for a proper FF program (with a status match) so I can hold Qantas, Virgin, Rex and Air NZ Gold Status

 

[kookaburra75]

Join the elite rex lounge club... just $329 or free if your an MP.
I'd argue this doesn't pass the pub test but then again neither does giving CL or the Club to MP's. I can't wait for a proper FF program (with a status match) so I can hold Qantas, Virgin, Rex and Air NZ Gold Status

But as Chairman's Lounge and The Club membership can't be bought for $'s, they have no value and don't need to be declared as a gift - although some MPs and senior bureaucrats do put into their registers.
As there is a value to Rex Lounge Membership etc, as you can buy them for $'s, they would have to be declared as a financial benefit - so i would be interesting to see who claims them.
Back when Rex first formed, they tried to snare the government business travel out of Canberra they were up against it, as they didn't have the trappings of Virgin or Qantas, and not able to get the traffic.

 

[jakeseven7]

According to this article in The Age:



Interesting that Rex is now inviting all politicians into their lounges. Not quite "Chairmans Lounge" but they are making an effort.

Good on them for trying

 

[dajop]

But as Chairman's Lounge and The Club membership can't be bought for $'s, they have no value and don't need to be declared as a gift - although some MPs and senior bureaucrats do put into their registers.

Yes, is that a classic tactic to avoid the appearance of bribery?

IMHO, should definitely be declared, whether it is Rex, Qantas or the Pope providing the hospitality.

 

[DC3]

Yes, is that a classic tactic to avoid the appearance of bribery?

IMHO, should definitely be declared, whether it is Rex, Qantas or the Pope providing the hospitality.

Certainly the CL membership may have a benefit of thousands of dollars, including all of the F&B provided.