Sunrise host Nat Barr asks the question on every Aussies' mind about Qantas saga: 'Dodgy' Seven Labor MPs received free upgrades Upgrades came after government rejected Qatar proposal READ MORE: PETER VAN ONSELEN: Two reasons Albanese should sack himself By Antoinette Milienos For Daily Mail Australia Published: 23:36, 29 October 2024 | Updated: 23:42, 29 October 2024 e-mail View comments Seven Labor Ministers and Assistant Ministers were gifted upgrades on Qantas flights after Qatar Airways was blocked from expanding in Australia. The MP declarations for Mark Butler, Bill Shorten, Mark Dreyfus, Anika Wells, Pat Conroy, Matt Kogh and Andrew Giles revealed the politicians were given flight upgrades after Labor's controversial decision. On July 10, 2023 the Labor Government rejected a proposal from Qatar Airways to add an extra 28 Australian routes - an additional 21 flights per week.
Experts believed Qatar's expansion would have reduced airfares by 40 per cent and could have boosted the country's tourism industry by a whopping $788 million. The Qantas flight upgrades on both domestic and international trips, were provided in the months after Qatar's proposal was rejected. On several occasions, Mr Albanese and his Transport Minister Catherine King had met with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce in the lead up to Qatar being blocked.
The proposal was not even taken to cabinet, with Ms King explaining Qatar Airways was prevented from expanding in Australia as it was 'not in the nation.
