Australia’s Prime Minister defends himself against allegations he asked for a free upgrade

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday said he had always “acted transparently and appropriately” after a new book alleged he repeatedly requested free upgrades for personal Qantas Airways flights.

Albanese, who was transport minister in the previous government, was accused in a book released on Monday of developing an inappropriately close relationship with Alan Joycewho was chief executive of Qantas for 15 years until 2023.

Qantas is Australia’s largest airline and was state-owned until the 1990s. The Sydney-based airline is the country’s flag carrier and is required by law to remain at least 51% Australian owned.

“According to Qantas insiders, Albanese contacted Joyce directly about his personal travel arrangements,” the published excerpt from the book reads. Insiders are not named.

Albanese said he claimed 22 free Qantas upgrades in a list of gifts to lawmakers worth more than A$300 ($197). He noted that Opposition MP Paul Fletcher said 69.

“I declared everything in accordance with all the rules,” Albanese told reporters.

“I have always – at all times – acted transparently and appropriately,” he added.

Albanese said Tuesday that he recalled only two conversations with Joyce about flying. These flights did not involve personal travel.

“No specific charges have been brought forward in this regard. Nobody. No,” Albanese said.

Albanese noted that the book’s author, Joe Aston, was a former opposition party staffer and a former Qantas employee. The book is called The Chairman’s Living Room: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out.

Joyce could not immediately be reached for comment. Qantas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Australian newspaper reported that Albanese may have breached the then government’s ministerial code of conduct when he was transport minister from 2007 to 2013.

The Code expressly prohibited ministers from seeking or encouraging any form of gifts in their personal capacity.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton on Monday called the allegation that Albanese contacted Joyce asking for free updates “a little strange.”

“I’m not aware of anyone else doing this,” Dutton told reporters.

Albanese said Dutton needed to explain why he accepted a free ride from mining magnate Gina Rinehart on a private jet.

“What you need to do is make sure you stick to the rules. I’ve always done this,” Albanese said.

Aston, who was a columnist for The Australian Financial Review until last year, wrote that Qantas received more than 80% of federal government spending on domestic flights last year. The Australian Financial Review is part of the Nine Entertainment stable, which also published an excerpt from the book:

Aston writes that the government’s close relationship with Qantas explains last year’s decision to refuse Qatar Airways application to double its services to Australia.