Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said all flight upgrades he received from Qantas were declared. SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Oct 29 defended free flight upgrades he received from Qantas following allegations he had liaised directly with the national carrier’s former chief executive officer to get him bumped up to business class. Mr Albanese made several direct phone calls to former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce before becoming prime minister, and got his tickets upgraded on 22 flights between 2009 and 2019, Australian media reported, citing excerpts in a new book by journalist Joe Aston.
Mr Albanese, who was the federal transport minister from 2007 to 2013, downplayed the claims, saying he had declared all flight upgrades he received. “I have been completely transparent about this. All of my flights have been declared in an appropriate way,” he told reporters.
“In my time in public life, I have acted with integrity, I have acted in a way that is entirely appropriate and I have declared in accordance with the rules.” Mr Albanese said he held only official talks with Mr Joyce, adding some upgrades he received were paid for by the Labour party. Australian politicians getting free upgrades on flights is not rare though they are obliged to declare such gifts and many are offered membership to luxury lounges.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said on Oct 28 it would be “a strange arrangement” if Mr Albanese, while managing the Transport Minis.
