By Tess Ikonomou in Canberra

Anthony Albanese has denied his staff requested flight upgrades from Qantas on his behalf.

The prime minister has been criticised after it emerged he received 22 flight upgrades – some when he was transport minister.

Mr Albanese denied allegations he contacted former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to make a request, and said any upgrades given were all declared.

Asked if anyone in his office had inquired about an upgrade on his behalf, Mr Albanese told the ABC, “not to my knowledge”.

“Everything has been declared, and I’ve had no upgrades as prime minister,” he said.

As the federal election looms in the first half of 2025, the controversy continues to plague the government which has been accused by the opposition of being out of touch.

Mr Albanese has also come under fire after it was revealed he bought a clifftop home for $4.3 million.

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said Australians were focused on making ends meet during a cost-of-living crisis, and denied ever asking for a flight upgrade.

“It really blows me away, and I think most people have had a gut full of it,” she told the ABC.

“The reputation of politicians gets worse every year, and we are to blame up here.

“Nobody else is to blame but the people here in the higher office.”

Upgrades missile turns into a political cluster bomb