Australian PM accused of seeking upgrades from Qantas boss

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been accused of asking for free personal flight upgrades directly from the former CEO of national carrier Qantas.

A new book by Australian journalist Joe Aston claims Albanese made several calls to ex-CEO Alan Joyce, and received upgrades on 22 flights taken between 2009 and 2019.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Albanese did not say whether he had spoken to Joyce about personal upgrades, but said he followed the rules and had been “completely transparent” with his disclosures.

“There is no accusations being made with any specifics at all about any of this, none,” he added.

Albanese, who previously served as federal transport minister, also criticised former opposition party staffer Aston of “trying to sell a book”.

In his book – The Chairman’s Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out – Aston, reportedly cites Qantas insiders as saying Albanese spoke to Joyce about his personal travel plans.

Albanese said he did recall having two conversations with Joyce about flights that did not involve personal travel.

“Of the 22 flights, 10 of them were… [in 2013] over a one-month period where both Qantas and Virgin provided upgrades for flights that were paid for by the Australian Labor party to make sure there was not any cost to taxpayers for what was internal business.

“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,” he said.

While it is not unheard of for Australian politicians to get free flight upgrades, they are required to declare such gifts.

Australia’s shadow transport minister Senator Bridget McKenzie has called for an inquiry to investigate the allegations.

“There are serious questions which only Mr Joyce and the Prime Minister can answer,” she told reporters.

Speaking on Today, a popular breakfast news show, she said she too had received a free flight updgrade in the past but added: “There’s a difference to receive a gift and declare it on your register to actually getting on the blower and saying, listen, mate, the missus and I are going overseas on a holiday. How about upgrading those economy tickets?”

Last year, the Albanese government faced questions for denying a request by Qatar Airways to increase flights to Australia – a move that aviation analysts said favoured Qantas.

Criticism over that decision has now resurfaced as some opposition leaders questioned Albanese’s personal relationship with Joyce.

Joyce was chief executive of Qantas for 15 years and led the company through the 2008 global financial crisis, the Covid pandemic and record fuel prices.

However, by the time he stepped down in 2023, Qantas was facing growing public anger over high fares, andured mass delays and cancellations. It also laid off 1,700 ground staff during the pandemic – a move that an Australian high court later ruled illegal.