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

The Prime Minister has been called on to explain his relationship with Qantas after it was revealed he personally requested flight upgrades from the former CEO.

A senior Coalition figure has demanded Anthony Albanese explain his relationship with Qantas after it was revealed he was given dozens of free flight upgrades on personal flights the with airline and affiliated airlines.

Excerpts from an upcoming book by Australian Financial Review 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 updated while in opposition between 2013 to 2019, with Aston stating Mr Albanese “would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel”.

Anthony Albanese was gifted dozens of flight upgrades on personally-funded economy flights dating back to 2010. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

Although the upgrades have been publicly disclosed by the Mr Albanese, he is now facing calls to explain his relationship with Qantas.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the actions didn’t pass the pub test, especially given Labor’s decision to reject Qatar’s push for more flights which Mr Littleproud decade drove “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.”

Aston claimed Mr Albanese would personally liaise with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce to secure the upgrades. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

He also accused Mr Albanese of “hiding” after he ended a press conference in Samoa on Saturday, where he is 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 old Sky News.

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