Albanese’s flight upgrades managed by senior Qantas executive

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued a fresh denial in the wake of new claims he had a direct contact within Qantas who oversaw his flight upgrades, adding to the scrutiny around his relationship with the airline.

The Prime Minister today again denied he texted or emailed former Qantas boss Alan Joyce or any other Qantas staffers to request flight upgrades.

It follows days of pressure over the damage saga.

In a terse exchange the PM was asked by 2GB’s Ben 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.

Qantas Group Executive Andrew Parker (right) would personally handle Anthony Albanese's flight upgrades. Picture: LinkedIn

It came after claims on Sky News by Sharri Markson that Mr Albanese had a direct contact within Qantas who oversaw his flight upgrades, adding to the scrutiny around his relationship with the airline.

Sky News host Sharri Markson disclosed that Qantas’ former Group Executive for Government and International Affairs, Andrew Parker, personally managed Albanese’s upgrades to business class.

At the time of handling the upgrades, Parker was responsible for overseeing Qantas’ government relations before his promotion to Group Executive for Sustainability.

Markson further reported that Albanese and Parker shared a close personal connection, with Albanese attending Parker’s Annandale housewarming, where a lighthearted plaque notes that the Prime Minister “officially opened” the residence.

Questions sent to the Prime Minister’s office by Sky News—about whether Albanese or his team requested upgrades through Parker or attended the housewarming—went unanswered at the time of publication. Parker was also reached for comment from Sky.

Last month, Parker was pictured with Albanese at the opening of Street Side Medics’ new Melbourne clinic, which was shared on Parker’s LinkedIn.
Parker served as Qantas Group Executive from 2013 to 2021, overlapping with Albanese’s term as Transport Minister and later serving as a director for Airlines for Australia and New Zealand, a lobbying group representing Qantas, Virgin, and other airlines on public policy matters.

The Daily Telegraph does not suggest any wrongdoing on Mr Parker’s part.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and then Qantas CEO Alan Joyce as Qantas unveil their Yes23 livery being carried on some of their aircraft at Sydney. Picture: AAP

It comes after news.com.au revealed the prime minister did not deny that he or his staff may have called Qantas’ government relations contacts or the Chairman’s Lounge “hotline” to book the flights with upgrades then offered by Qantas.

For the first time, the Prime Minister has firmly denied any personal contact with Alan Joyce regarding upgrades for family holidays.

“At no point did the Prime Minister contact Alan Joyce to request an upgrade,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“All travel has been properly declared and remains on public record.”

However, senior Coalition senator James Paterson criticised the “carefully worded” statement, saying it fell short.

“I genuinely question how much the Prime Minister’s office thinks they can mislead Australians with such a carefully crafted statement that doesn’t address the core issue at all,” he told Sky News on Thursday.

“The only thing the Prime Minister’s office has clarified is that he didn’t call Alan Joyce to ask for an upgrade.

“They haven’t ruled out that he may have sent Alan Joyce a text or an email, contacted another senior Qantas executive, or that his staff reached out to Qantas seeking an upgrade.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]