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Released by the Department of Finance  
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
FOI 24-25/104 - Document 1
From:
Scott, Iain
To:
Walsh, Clare
Cc:
BES Executive; CSD-EO; Hoffmeister, Kelly; s 22
Subject:
FW: Unsolicited Chairman’s Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Thursday, 10 March 2022 10:29:21 PM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
SEC=OFFICIAL
Hi Clare
Here is our advice on the reporting of Chairman’s Lounge membership
Declaring club memberships – Finance approach
LAB have reviewed the APSC advice on this matter, which confirms lounge memberships should
be declared as they are likely to be over the $100 threshold. We can confirm that Finance along
with other agencies (including APSC) have and continue to declare lounge memberships.
Declaring this benefit – gifted as a spouse
We understand that Cath has further clarified that she received this gift as a spouse and not in
the course of her official duties. This scenario is not covered by the APSC guidance and if we
strictly applied the guidelines then Cath would not need to declare it, and we would not need to
publish it. However, on balance, we consider that declaring this benefit is in keeping with the
intent of the guidelines and would provide for greater transparency for Finance.
Declaring the benefit – an ongoing requirement
We do not consider the Chairman’s Lounge membership as something that would need to be
declared annually (or any subsequent renewal). The APSC advice requires us to publish a gift or
benefit received within 31 days and does not mention a need to declare an ongoing benefit. Club
and airline memberships are mentioned within the guidance FAQs and these only state that they
should be declared as they are usually over the $100 threshold.
Please let us know if you need anything further.
Regards
Iain
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Scott, Iain <xxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Wednesday, 2 March 2022 11:37 AM
To: Hoffmeister, Kelly <xxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22
s 22
@finance.gov.au>
Cc: CSD-EO <xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: FW: Unsolicited Chairman’s Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
Hi Kelly and Megan
Further to the earlier follow up on the Chairman’s lounge reporting issue, here is a further aspect
to consider and provide advice on.
Happy to chat.
Regards
Iain
From: Walsh, Clare <xxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Wednesday, 2 March 2022 10:20 AM
To: Scott, Iain <xxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: FW: Unsolicited Chairman’s Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
1


Released by the Department of Finance  
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
FOI 24-25/104 - Document 1
Iain
I don’t think this changes anything, but can you check for me? ta
SEC=OFFICIAL
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Patterson, Cath <xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Wednesday, 2 March 2022 10:18 AM
To: Walsh, Clare <xxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Unsolicited Chairman’s Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
Clare
We were advised yesterday that my membership was only provided in my capacity as a spouse
and not as a Dep Sec. Happy to still fill in the paperwork once Iain has provided advice.
Cath
Cath Patterson | Deputy Secretary
Budget and Financial Reporting
Department of Finance
T: 02 6215 2566 | M: s 22
 | E xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx
A: One Canberra Avenue, FORREST ACT 2603
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Walsh, Clare <xxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, 28 February 2022 9:15 AM
To: Patterson, Cath <xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Unsolicited Chairman’s Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
Hi Cath
I haven’t forgotten about this. You will need to declare, I’m just checking a couple of other
details with Iain before finalising advice to you.
Clare
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Patterson, Cath <xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, 21 February 2022 12:35 PM
To: Walsh, Clare <xxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: FW: Unsolicited Chairmans Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
Clare
For advice please re my recently acquired (unsolicited) Chairman’s Lounge Membership. I am
fine to fill in the gift registry but Rosemary asked me to check whether we have treated this
membership as a gift for other Exec.
Thanks
Cath
Cath Patterson | Deputy Secretary
Budget and Financial Reporting
2

Released by the Department of Finance  
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
FOI 24-25/104 - Document 1
Department of Finance
T: 02 6215 2566 | M: s 22
| E xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx
A: One Canberra Avenue, FORREST ACT 2603
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Huxtable, Rosemary <xxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, 21 February 2022 12:33 PM
To: Patterson, Cath <xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Unsolicited Chairmans Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
If you could talk to Clare before that gets too far as we have considered previously whether this
is a gift and I can’t recall the outcome.
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Patterson, Cath <xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, 21 February 2022 12:31 PM
To: Huxtable, Rosemary <xxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Unsolicited Chairmans Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
Thanks (didn’t even have business class membership at HA). There is a gift register form – which
I will now complete.
Cath
Cath Patterson | Deputy Secretary
Budget and Financial Reporting
Department of Finance
T: 02 6215 2566 | M: s 22
 | E xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx
A: One Canberra Avenue, FORREST ACT 2603
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Huxtable, Rosemary <xxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, 21 February 2022 12:27 PM
To: Patterson, Cath <xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Unsolicited Chairmans Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
I thought you would already have one of these through Home Affairs. If you could liaise with
Clare on how we report. Thanks.
SEC=OFFICIAL
From: Patterson, Cath <xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, 21 February 2022 10:44 AM
To: Huxtable, Rosemary <xxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Unsolicited Chairmans Lounge membership [SEC=OFFICIAL]
SEC=OFFICIAL
Rosemary
I have been sent (unsolicited) a membership card for the Qantas Chairmans Lounge. As this
constitutes a gift, I am seeking your approval for me to accept this membership which I will then
declare on the Gifts register.
3

Released by the Department of Finance  
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
FOI 24-25/104 - Document 1
4