Anthony Albanese launches fiery defence of Qantas perks

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched a fiery defence for accepting dozens of free Qantas flight upgrades.

Albanese has confronted questions over having no less than 22 Qantas flights upgraded from economic system throughout his time as transport minister and Opposition chief.

A brand new guide claims that Albanese sought upgrades for himself and his household by contacting then-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce instantly, calling their relationship into query.

Albanese maintains he has been clear about any flight perks and solely liaised with Joyce over non-commercial flights, together with one with media onboard to advertise a brand new flight path.

“The one discussions that I can recall with Alan Joyce … we mentioned the primary flight from Australia to Dubai on an A380,” he instructed reporters on Tuesday.

“Each different flight I paid for, each different flight. These have been two non-commercial flights that have been declared by which transport ministers and shadow ministers travelled as nicely.

A brand new guide claims that Anthony Albanese sought upgrades for himself and his household by contacting then-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce instantly. Supply: AAP / Dean Lewins

“It is so simple as that. It’s totally clear on the market. I’ve declared every part in accordance with the entire guidelines.”

Albanese mentioned no less than 10 of the 22 reported flights came about in 2013, throughout a management poll with Invoice Shorten and have been paid for by the Australian Labor Social gathering.

Anthony Albanese criticises Peter Dutton

He then took goal at Opposition chief Peter Dutton, urging him to elucidate flights organised by non-public events.

“Peter Dutton has declared a few of his flights. There’s a distinction between each of us. My flights have been industrial, with Qantas or Virgin, or Emirates. They have been all declared within the acceptable manner,” Albanese mentioned.

“I did not should declare any flights on non-public jets owned by billionaires like Gina Rinehart as a result of I have not engaged in it.”

Peter Dutton standing in front of green trees.

Anthony Albanese took goal at Peter Dutton’s personal flight whereas defending accepting Qantas flight perks. Supply: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

Together with his transparency being referred to as into query, Albanese highlighted that the creator on the centre of the claims, Joe Aston, has beforehand held positions with the Liberal Social gathering.

“I simply make the purpose that the one that is attempting to promote a guide, and honest sufficient, I do not see declarations that he is a former Liberal get together staffer for a variety of senior members of the Liberal get together, together with Joe Hockey and Bruce Baird,” he mentioned.

Showing visibly annoyed, Albanese repeatedly asserted that he has at all times acted out of warning and been open about any perks obtained in public workplace.

“I’ve at all times acted in an open and clear manner.

“In my time in public life, I’ve acted with integrity, acted in a manner that’s fully acceptable, and I’ve declared in accordance with the principles.”

Ebook’s creator responds to Albanese

Aston has since hit again on the prime minister’s feedback about his earlier affiliation with the Liberal Social gathering, calling them “past determined”.

“It’s disclosed on the primary line of the primary web page of the guide, and has by no means been a secret,” Aston wrote on social media platform X.

In his submit, Aston shared a screenshot of the guide’s introduction, the place it mentions he labored within the workplace of former Liberal MP Bruce Baird in 2006.