2 weeks Ago By Millie Muroi
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has emphatically denied seeking flight upgrades from former Qantas boss Alan Joyce, after days of pressure over claims he asked for better plane seats. Albanese denied he texted or emailed Joyce about flight upgrades, directly shared any flight or travel plans with the former airline chief executive, or did so via other figures at Qantas. The prime minister’s denials, read out on air by 2GB host Ben Fordham on Thursday morning, go substantially further than a narrowly worded statement issued by the prime minister’s office on Wednesday evening stating he “did not ever” call Joyce for flight upgrades.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denied he ever texted, emailed or called Qantas CEO Alan Joyce about flight upgrades. Credit: Steven Siewert “Over 30 years, there could have been a mistake, but we’ve gone through the records and there are none,” Albanese said, according to Fordham. “Why would you call the CEO of Qantas to discuss your flights anyway? I haven’t spoken to Alan in a very long time.
” The prime minister has been under pressure all week after an excerpt from the book The Chairman’s Lounge was printed in Good Weekend saying Albanese declared 22 free Qantas flight upgrades, including some secured directly from Joyce. The book’s author Joe Aston, a former Australian Financial Review columnist who previously worked as a Liberal staffer, has been contacted for comment. Anthony Albanese’s exchange with Ben Fordham Fordham : Did you ever text Alan Joyce about flight upgrades? Albanese : No.
Fordham : Did you ever email Alan Joyce about flight upgrades? Albanese : No. Fordham : Did you ever share with Alan Joyce any flights or travel plans without specifically asking for an upgrade? Albanese : No. Fordham : Was there someone else at Qantas you were seeking upgrades from or sharing your travel plans with? Albanese : No.
The prime minister’s denials also respond to a Sky News story on Wednesday evening claiming Qantas’ government affairs executive Andrew Parker personally oversaw Albanese’s flight upgrades. The pair were reportedly close enough that Albanese attended a housewarming for Parker. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher defended the prime minister on Thursday, saying any changes to bookings made by Albanese were made in the same way as every other member of parliament.
“He’s declared all of these flights, he’s abided by the rules,” she said on Today . “This guy I work with..
. very closely. I know how fastidious he is about these [rules].
The reason we’re talking about them is because they’re declared.” Qantas has been contacted for comment. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis.
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