Anthony Albanese’s relationship with Qantas under microscope over flight upgrades

Anthony Albanese’s relationship with Qantas is under the microscope amid claims he contacted former chief Alan Joyce directly for seat upgrades and suggestions he failed to properly declare those given to his former wife.

In his new book, “The Chairman’s Lounge”, journalist Joe Aston reveals the Prime Minister received at least 22 upgrades during his time in Parliament — including while transport minister and shadow transport minister.

Those upgrades included flights to Europe, Los Angeles, and Hawaii.

He declared these on his official register of interests but he did not declare upgrades for his then-wife, Carmel Tebbutt, a senior NSW MP at the time.

Federal Parliament’s rules state that upgrades for spouses and dependent children should be notified.

Ms Tebbutt’s own disclosure logs to the NSW parliament reveal she had received upgrades on trips to Honolulu, Europe, and Los Angeles at the same time as her then-husband.

She said on her register that her “spouse’s flights and other interests are declared on his returns”.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: “This is all a matter of public record. Both made relevant disclosures in their Parliaments”.

The nature of Labor’s relationship with Qantas has been under scrutiny since the decision last year to block Qatar Airways’ application to add flights into Australia, after supposedly being influenced by the national carrier.

In the wake of the latest story, Mr Albanese’s colleagues backed him in, saying the Prime Minister had abided by the rules in declaring his upgrades.

Asked if the claims of personally asking Mr Joyce were correct and whether he had ever had any communications with the airline’s chief executive about personal travel, a spokesperson for Mr Albanese said he had “answered these questions comprehensively (and) ... has made the appropriate disclosures”.

The Prime Minister told reporters on Sunday he had stuck to the rules in declaring all upgrades received on Qantas flights over the years, but was not asked specific questions about communications regarding personal travel or upgrades.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said it was “a bit strange” that Mr Albanese would reportedly directly contact Mr Joyce for flight upgrades.

“If you go to the airport, and based on either load factors or decisions the airline makes otherwise for them to upgrade, that is perfectly appropriate, as the rules apply equally to everyone,” he said.

“But if you are the transport minister and you are picking up the phone to one of the most important stakeholders in your portfolio, asking for a free upgrade, then again I think the Prime Minister would be able to answer those questions more effectively than anyone else because I am not aware of anyone else having done it.”

Opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie — who has disclosed accepting a Qantas upgrade in 2018 after initially saying she had never done so — said the latest round of revelations strengthened the need for Mr Joyce to front up to the parliament and answer questions.

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

“We are considering all options to get to the bottom of the nature of the relationship between the Albanese government and Qantas — a relationship that has resulted in negative outcomes for shareholders, staff and loyal customers.”

Jim Chalmers — who has also once received an upgrade from Qantas but said he had never asked for one — was asked whether there was a need for stronger rules around disclosures.

The Treasurer said he had been focused on this week’s inflation numbers, the Queensland election and his meetings in the US last week and had not given any thought to that.

“I think it’s appropriate that there are robust arrangements for it and that includes some kind of declaration,” he said, adding that any strengthening or stronger consequences for breaching rules were up to the relevant ministers.

Senior ministers Bill Shorten and Murray Watt both attempted to deflect scrutiny of Mr Albanese’s relationship with Qantas.

Mr Shorten said the Prime Minister “has been diligent over many years and transparent declaring whatever he receives”.

Senator Watt dismissed the claims on Monday as “rumours that have been put around, unsourced by a journalist” and said he wouldn’t dignify them.

“I’ve seen the Opposition try to seize on this, and I guess they really want to consider whether they want to make this an issue. If you have a look at Peter Dutton’s behaviour, for example, several upgrades from Qantas and other airlines,” he told ABC radio.

“He’s had free flights paid for by Gina Rinehart, who we know has influence over the Coalition and the policy direction it takes. I really would wonder whether it’s wise for the Opposition to start calling this kind of stuff into question.”