‘Never Called Joyce’: PM Defends Qantas Flight Upgrades

A Qantas Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane travels down the runway as a Qantas Boeing 717 plane lands at Sydney International Airport on June 7, 2024. DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denied allegations that he sought upgraded flights from former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, following days of scrutiny and accusations from the opposition.

In a statement on Oct. 30, a spokesperson for Albanese said he “never called Joyce seeking an upgrade,” pushing back against reports questioning his integrity over potential private benefits from Qantas.

The prime minister’s office issued a statement late Wednesday night addressing the allegations but did not clarify whether his denial applied to other forms of communication, such as texts or emails.

However, on 2GB Breakfast this morning, Albanese provided further clarification, stating he did not text, email, or share his travel plans with Joyce or other Qantas contacts for upgrade purposes.

“I didn’t want to issue a complete denial until we’d reviewed everything,” Albanese explained, referencing an internal audit of his communications history.

“Over 30 years, there could have been a mistake, but we’ve gone through the records, and there are none.”

The prime minister added that he could not imagine a reason for contacting Qantas’s CEO about flight arrangements.

“Why would you call the CEO of Qantas to discuss your flights anyway?” he said, noting that he booked economy tickets and occasionally received upgrades without asking.

Allegations Expand Beyond Joyce

As Albanese attempted to put the issue to rest, further questions surfaced regarding his relationship with Qantas.

Reports by Sky News Australia have suggested Albanese may have communicated with other Qantas officials, specifically Andrew Parker, Qantas’s former Group Executive for Government and International Affairs.

Albanese’s friendship with Parker, including attending his housewarming, has fuelled further speculation about his ties to Qantas.

Additional reports suggest that Albanese may have communicated with Qantas’s government relations team or the Chairman’s Lounge to facilitate upgrades. Despite the fresh allegations, Albanese has yet to respond directly to these claims.

Upgrades as Transport Minister

Albanese’s record with Qantas dates back to his time as transport minister (2009-2013), when he reportedly received upgrades from economy to business class on personal trips to destinations including Europe, Los Angeles, and Honolulu, which he declared in his register of interests.

According to a report by the Australian Financial Review, Albanese’s former wife, MP Carmel Tebbutt, received thousands of dollars in upgrades during this period, despite guidelines requiring such benefits for family members to be reported. Also his son was offered a premium lounge membership.

The prime minister has not issued any statements on these allegations yet.

Opposition Demands Greater Transparency

Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson criticised Albanese’s statement as “carefully worded” and evasive.

“I honestly wonder how dumb the Prime Minister’s Office thinks the Australian people are that they’ll be fooled by such a carefully worded statement that doesn’t go to the core of the issue,” Paterson said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton intensified calls for transparency, suggesting Albanese “has something to hide.”

“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 … I am not aware of anyone else having done it,” Dutton remarked, pressing the prime minister to address the issue directly and publicly.

Amid ongoing criticism, Albanese’s office maintains that his travel perks were routine and part of Qantas’s general upgrade policy for public officials.