<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>331983</docID> <postdate>2024-10-29 13:40:20</postdate> <headline>‘Completely transparent’: PM defends upgrades</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-331984" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20230814001830751535-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he was transparent about all the Qantas upgrades. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Andrew Brown</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Anthony Albanese has defended his relationship with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce after revelations of multiple flight upgrades, saying he had been transparent about the process.</strong></p> <p>Reports have emerged in a new book Mr Albanese received 22 upgrades from economy from Qantas and he would liaise personally with the former airline boss for them.</p> <p>The prime minister says all of the flights had been listed in accordance with rules for federal MPs.</p> <p>"I've been completely transparent about this. All of my flights have been declared in an appropriate way," he told reporters in Newcastle on Tuesday.</p> <p>"What you need to do is make sure you stick to the rules. I've done that at all times."</p> <p>Mr Albanese said 10 of the 22 flights were made during a leadership contest for the Labor Party in 2013.</p> <p>The prime minister also went on the attack, saying coalition MPs had received more upgrades from Qantas for flights, while accusing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of concocting the criticism.</p> <p>"Peter Dutton seems to be obsessed with making attacks on myself, my family, and to try and engage in this obsession," he said.</p> <p>"Peter Dutton seems to be determined to just be arrogant and nasty every day. That's up to him, but I'll continue to do my job."</p> <p>Mr Albanese challenged the opposition leader to explain flights Mr Dutton received from mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.</p> <p>Opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie said voters had a right to be "furious" over the travel upgrades, calling for Mr Joyce to be called before a Senate inquiry.</p> <p>"I don't know of another transport minister who had a hotline to the CEO of Qantas to request freebies for family holidays. That's what we're dealing with here," she told Nine's Today program.</p> <p>"It's a serious job being transport minister, and it was seen to be soliciting freebies."</p> <p>Workplace Minister Murray Watt said the prime minister had complied with all of the rules for parliamentarians.</p> <p>"If anyone looks at Anthony Albanese's record, he hasn't been delivering favours to Qantas. He has consistently taken on Qantas over a range of issues," he told AAP.</p> <p>"The suggestion that his relationship with Qantas or its former CEO has influenced his decision making is completely at odds with the actions that he's taken."</p> <p>Independent senator David Pocock said the revelations about travel arrangements highlighted the need for change for political entitlements.</p> <p>"There are very legitimate questions to be answered. There is a terrible, terrible look," he told reporters in Canberra.</p> <p>"But I think this has to be part of the broader conversation around just how shocking and basically useless our lobbying laws are in this country."</p> </body>