A senior Coalition figure has demanded Anthony Albanese explain his relationship with Qantas after it was revealed he received dozens of free flight upgrades on personal flights with the airline and its affiliated airlines.
Excerpts from a forthcoming book by Australian Financial Review Joe Aston, The Chairman’s Lounge, list at least 22 free upgrades to economy class tickets, dating back to 2009, when he was transport minister during the Rudd government.
In April 2010, he and his son also received an upgrade from Emirates to Sydney to Rome.
While the classes of the flights were not disclosed, Aston estimated the value of the gift at about $10,000.
The Prime Minister continued to receive free updates while in opposition between 2013 and 2019, with Aston claiming Albanese would “communicate directly with Joyce about his personal travels”.
Although Albanese has publicly revealed the updates, he now faces calls to explain his relationship with Qantas.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the stock failed the pub test, especially given Labour’s decision to reject Qatar’s push for more flights, which during Littleproud’s decade pushed for “more competition in this country”.
“I think the Prime Minister simply has to put an end to this one way or another. Come out and reveal exactly what happened.
A senior Coalition figure has demanded Anthony Albanese explain his relationship with Qantas after it was revealed he received dozens of free flight upgrades on personal flights with the airline and its affiliated airlines.
Excerpts from a forthcoming book by Australian Financial Review Joe Aston, The Chairman’s Lounge, list at least 22 free upgrades to economy class tickets, dating back to 2009, when he was transport minister under the Rudd government (pictured , Albanese with then Qantas CEO Alan Joyce in 2023)
‘And if he didn’t declare it about his pecuniary interest, why not?
“And I think it’s a reasonable question considering the important decisions this government has made around airfares and airlines in this country.”
He also accused Albanese of “hiding” after finishing a press conference in Samoa on Saturday, where he is attending the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
‘I think it’s important for the Prime Minister to preserve the status of his office to go out and do it today. Not hiding like you did yesterday,” Mr Littleproud said.
Industrial Relations Minister Murray Watt defended Albanese and declined to comment further.
“What I can assure you… is that at all times, the Labor Party has had the national interest at the center of our attention when it comes to our decisions on aviation policy,” he told Sky News.