Anthony Albanese‘s relationship with Qantas is back under the spotlight after it was revealed his son Nathan and fiancée Jodie Haydon are both ‘plus one’ members of the exclusive Chairman’s Lounge.
However, the Prime Minister has hit back claiming his family is being targeted.
Shortly after winning the prime ministership in May 2022, Mr Albanese asked then-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to make Nathan, 23, a member of Chairman’s Lounge, an invitation only perk of the airline, a new book claims.
Mr Albanese defended the arrangement saying his son became his ‘plus one’ after his marriage to former Labor MP Carmel Tebbut ended, but that does not account for his partner Ms Haydon also reportedly being a ‘plus one’ for the Lounge.
It is also claimed in The Chairman’s Lounge book, by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston, that Nathan’s Chairman’s Lounge membership was not listed on Mr Albanese’s register of interests, which logs gifts of significance to MPs.
Mr Aston told the Australian Financial Review it appeared Mr Albanese was stretching the definition of ‘plus one’ in his dealings with Qantas.
‘Jodie Haydon is Anthony Albanese’s plus one to the Chairman’s Lounge, and Nathan Albanese is not,’ he said.
When asked about the club memberships by reporters on Sunday, Mr Albanese claimed his family was being targeted and everything he did was above board.
Anthony Albanese ‘s relationship with Qantas is back under the spotlight after it was revealed his son Nathan and fiancée Jodie Haydon are both ‘plus one’ members of the exclusive Chairman’s Lounge
Shortly after winning the prime ministership in May 2022, Mr Albanese asked then-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to make Nathan, 23, a member of Chairman’s Lounge, an invitation only perk of the airline, a new book claims
‘I think that people’s families shouldn’t be the subject of targeting,’ he said.
‘Every single thing has been declared, which is why it’s been reported on. It is appropriate that those declarations occur.’
He denied getting special treatment.
‘People get plus ones, and if anyone knows anything about aviation, what they will know is that there are regularly, regularly, a range of airlines will put in,’ Mr Albanese said.
The Chairman’s Lounge also claims Mr Albanese personally approached Mr Joyce to get dozens of free Qantas flight upgrades including with an international partner on a trip to Rome.
Mr Albanese said he had declared ‘every single flight upgrade’ which were purchased by himself.
‘From time to time members of parliament receive upgrades, what’s important is that they are declared, all of mine have been declared, I note that a range of them go back a long period of time,’ he said.
‘They have all been declared, which is what is appropriate’.
While he said it was a personal ‘matter’ on whether politicians accepted the benefits from airlines, he said his relationship with Mr Joyce was the same as the one he shared with former Virgin Australia boss John Borghetti.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud said Mr Albanese’s actions didn’t pass the pub test, especially given Labor’s decision to reject Qatar‘s push for more flights in Australia putting them in competition with Qantas.
‘I think the Prime Minister simply has to put it to bed one way or another. Come out and disclose exactly what happened,’ he said.
‘And if he didn’t declare it on his pecuniary interest, why not?
‘And I think that’s a reasonable question to ask considering the significant decisions that this government’s made around airfares and airlines in this country.
‘I think it’s important for the Prime Minister to preserve the status of his office to come out and do that today. Not hide as he did yesterday.’
Mr Littleproud was referring to an abruptly ended press conference the Prime Minister gave in Samoa on Saturday, where he was attending the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting.
A new book accuses Mr Albanese of directly approaching former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to get Chairman’s Club memberships for his son and for free flight upgrades
In his book Mr Aston lists least 22 free upgrades on economy tickets for Mr Albanese, dating back to 2009, when he was a transport minister under the Rudd government.
In April 2010, he and his son also received an upgrade on Sydney to Rome from Emirates. While the classes of the flights weren’t disclosed, Aston estimated the value to the gift to be about $10,000.
The Prime Minister continued to receive free upgrades while in opposition between 2013 to 2019, with Aston stating Mr Albanese ‘would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel’.
However Mr Albanese’s actions were criticised by industry insiders.
Consumer Champion’s Adam Glezer said Mr Albanese’s actions were ‘inappropriate,’ and said politicians and decision makers shouldn’t be allowed to accept perks like Chairman’s Lounge access and free upgrades.
‘How can decision makers receive such incredible perks and make impartial decisions? All you have to do is look at the lack of competition in this country and our pathetic consumer laws when it comes to aviation,’ he said.
‘I think the Prime Minister has a lot to answer to. I would love to know why he had the right to receive the complimentary upgrades without paying for it where us mere mortals have to save up for years in order to enjoy a business class seat.’
Employment Relations Minister Murray Watt on Sunday defended Mr Albanese and declined to comment further.
‘What I can assure you … is that at all times, Labor has had the national interest at the front of our attention when it comes to our decisions about aviation policy,’ he told Sky News.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Qantas for comment.
