Anatomy of a denial: How flight upgrades turned into a major headache for Albanese
The prime minister’s slow, often rambling denials over the Qantas upgrades scandal have some Labor MPs worried — particularly those in marginal seats.
Labor MPs fear Anthony Albanese’s handling of the Qantas upgrade scandal is illustrative of how he will perform in the election campaign — which is just months away.
While they won’t comment on the record, some marginal seat MPs are now questioning the competency of the Prime Minister and his office in responding to a crisis.
It all started on Saturday morning when Good Weekend published an excerpt from Joe Aston’s book, The Chairman’s Lounge. In it, Aston reported that Albanese received at least 22 flight upgrades during his time as a minister and shadow minister in the transport portfolio, including for personal holidays. Aston’s sources claimed that Albanese liaised directly with then-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce regarding his travel.
In a doorstop interview the next day in Sydney, Albanese attempted to brush it off, saying that “from time to time, MPs receive upgrades” and “what’s important is that they are declared".
