Joe Aston’s coming book The Chairman’s Lounge reveals Prime Minister Anthony Albanese liaised directly with former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce about personal flight upgrades.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under pressure to explain his relationship with former Qantas chief Alan Joyce after a new book revealed he had received dozens of free upgrades for personal travel with the airline after making direct requests to the then-CEO.columnist Joe Aston, reveals that Albanese received at least 22 free Qantas upgrades from economy class, including some for his family and for personal travel, which amounted to tens of thousands of dollars worth of gifts.
Albanese appears to have declared the upgrades on parliament’s register of members’ interests, in line with the rules for MPs, but the details of how he received them have not been revealed until now. The prime minister received the upgrades when he was transport minister, then opposition transport spokesman, and opposition leader.
“This is on a scale that I think bears much further scrutiny, and I think there are deep questions for the prime minister,” McKenzie said on Saturday. “He himself claims he wants to see a transparent and accountable parliament, this is their opportunity to show that.”“Mums and dads around Australia are fighting to pay their bills, meanwhile the prime minister is fighting for a free upgrade,” he said.
Centre for Public Integrity chairman Anthony Whealy, KC, a former judge, said the close relationships between government and corporate leaders was a significantly flawed part of Australia’s democracy. The Chairman’s Lounge has previously been described by Joyce as “probably the most exclusive club in the country”. Membership is at the discretion of Qantas and is given to all federal politicians, others in high-profile and influential jobs in politics, the public service, business or law.
During Labor’s Indigenous Voice to parliament campaign, Qantas formally declared its support for the referendum as Joyce committed to flying the Uluru Dialogue team around the country to help spread the message to regional and remote areas. Three of the company’s aircraft featured an official Yes23 logo.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anthony Albanese under fire over free Qantas upgradesJoe Aston’s coming book The Chairman’s Lounge reveals Prime Minister Anthony Albanese liaised directly with former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce about personal flight upgrades.
Read more »
Claims Albanese given multiple flight upgrades by Qantas under ex bossPrime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly had a direct line to then Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to arrange flight upgrades for personal travel, according to a new book.
Read more »
Peter Dutton's Coalition takes the lead in Newspoll, surpassing Anthony Albanese's psychological milestoneIt's not that long ago that reports of Peter Dutton's premature death as opposition leader were being greatly exaggerated. Now he's suddenly found himself leading Labor for the first time.
Read more »
Anthony Albanese buys $4.3 million ‘clifftop perfection’ propertyThe Prime Minister and his fiancé are buying a home together on the Central Coast in NSW where Jodie Haydon’s family are from.
Read more »
Elizabeth Lee's finger and Anthony Albanese's house: The decisions that may bring distracting headachesFrom flipping the bird at a journalist to scooping up a clifftop abode before an election, 'leaders who made decisions that felt good in the moment but have brought with them distracting headaches' has been a theme in politics this week.
Read more »
Anthony Albanese heads to ASEAN summit, meeting with China's premier on the agendaIt will be his fifth meeting with Li Qiang, and second in only a few months.
Read more »