By aviation writer Scott Mayman

INDEPENDENT ACT senator David Pocock has walked away from complimentary membership of the exclusive Qantas Chairman’s Lounge.

He’s also calling it quits from the airline’s rival Beyond Lounge with Virgin.

Until recently, politicians and public service employers were offered invitations to the exclusive lounges with both airlines.

Politicians have since been stepping away from the gift in the wake of scandals and questions about whether Qantas has had any influence on government decisions.

Senator Pocock has now removed the Chairman’s Lounge membership from his “Register of Interests”.

The upside for the senator is that since he’s based in Canberra, he doesn’t fly as much as the other federal politicians, especially during parliamentary sitting weeks.