Independent Indi MP Helen Haines says she is giving up her Qantas and Virgin lounges, following fellow independent Allegra Spender’s decision to do the same. 

The decisions come amid heightened scrutiny of travel perks across the parliament following allegations levelled at Anthony Albanese about his relationship with Qantas. 

“I think what we have now is a perception and potential conflict of interest that’s identified through significant lobbying of parliamentarians by Qantas,” Dr Haines told Sky News. “And in my mind, I want to remove any doubt from the general public that I’m subject to that.”

She said that while it was a decision for “each member of parliament” as to whether they would do the same, she said there were questions that “have to be answered” around what influence those free gifts from the airlines had bought.