Anthony Albanese has declared he never called the former Qantas boss to seek flight upgrades.
Days after the allegations first came to light, he took the step of issuing further comments on the allegations made in a newly released book.
The book stated Albanese received 22 upgrades on Qantas flights and said he had liaised personally with the airline’s ex-chief executive Alan Joyce for the perks.
While the prime minister rejected accusations of any wrongdoing from the outset and issued a response that all his flights had been listed in accordance with rules for federal MPs, he has now attempted to quell the political back and forth that have followed by providing a firm statement of denial.
On Wednesday evening, a spokesperson from his office provided a statement to media that said, “The prime minister did not ever call Alan Joyce seeking an upgrade.”
The spokesperson reiterated: “All travel has been appropriately declared and is a matter of public record.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had used the allegations to accuse Albanese of breaching ministerial standards, which prevent politicians from seeking and encouraging gifts in a personal capacity.
The Opposition, including its leader Peter Dutton have used the allegations made in a book to take aim at prime minister Anthony Albanese. Source: AAP / Bianca de Marchi
Dutton raised questions about the relationship between the PM and Joyce during the former CEO’s embattled final months.
“The prime minister had a very significant and now declared personal friendship with the CEO of Qantas, who ultimately was the beneficiary of the decision taken by the prime minister,” Dutton told reporters.
The government was criticised in 2023 for , accused of protecting Qantas.
Joyce quit in September that year, expediting his planned departure after the airline suffered a series of reputational blows under his leadership.
