Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued ‘please explain’ after he received dozens of flight upgrades on Qantas flights

Anthony Albanese has defended revelations he received dozens of free Qantas flight upgrades, and claims he personally asked the former airline boss Alan Joyce for the benefits. Excerpts from an upcoming book by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston, The Chairman’s Lounge, listed at least 22 free upgrades on economy tickets, dating back to 2009, when he was a transport minister under the Rudd government. In April 2010, he and his son also received an upgrade on Sydney to Rome from Emirates. While the classes of the flights weren’t disclosed, Aston estimated the value to the gift to be about $10,000. The Prime Minister continued to receive free upgrades while in opposition between 2013 to 2019, with Aston stating Mr Albanese “would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel”. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Mr Albanese said he had declared “every single flight upgrade” which were purchased by himself. “From time to time members of parliament receive upgrades, what’s important is that they are declared, all of mine have been declared, I note that a range of them go back a long period of time,” he said. “They have all been declared, which is what is appropriate”. While he said it was a personal “matter” on whether politicians accepted the benefits from airlines, he said his relationship with Mr Joyce was the same as the one he shared with former Virgin Australia boss John Borghetti. However Mr Albanese’s actions have been criticised by industry insiders and the Coalition. Consumer Champion’s Adam Glezer said Mr Albanese’s actions were “inappropriate,” and said politicians and decision makers shouldn’t be allowed to accept perks like Chairman’s Lounge access and free upgrades. “How can decision makers receive such incredible perks and make impartial decisions? All you have to do is look at the lack of competition in this country and our pathetic consumer laws when it comes to aviation,” he said. “I think the Prime Minister has a lot to answer to. I would love to know why he had the right to receive the complimentary upgrades without paying for it where us mere mortals have to save up for years in order to enjoy a business class seat.” Nationals Leader David Littleproud said Mr Albanese’s actions didn’t pass the pub test, especially given Labor’s decision to reject Qatar’s push for more flights which Mr Littleproud said would drive “up more competition in this country”. “I think the Prime Minister simply has to put it to bed one way or another. Come out and disclose exactly what happened. And if he didn’t declare it on his pecuniary interest, why not? “And I think that’s a reasonable question to ask considering the significant decisions that this government’s made around airfares and airlines in this country.” He also accused Mr Albanese of “hiding” after he ended a press conference in Samoa on Saturday, where he was 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 come out and do that today. Not hide as he did yesterday,” said Mr Littleproud. Employment Relations Minister Murray Watt defended Mr Albanese and declined to comment further. “What I can assure you … is that at all times, Labor has had the national interest at the front of our attention when it comes to our decisions about aviation policy,” he told Sky News.