Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched a fiery defence for accepting dozens of free Qantas flight upgrades.
Albanese has faced questions over having at least 22 Qantas flights upgraded from economy during his time as transport minister and Opposition leader.
A new book claims that Albanese sought upgrades for himself and his family by contacting then-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce directly, calling their relationship into question.
Albanese maintains he has been transparent about any flight perks and only liaised with Joyce over non-commercial flights, including one with media onboard to promote a new flight path.
"The only discussions that I can recall with Alan Joyce ... we discussed the first flight from Australia to Dubai on an A380," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"Every other flight I paid for, every other flight. These were two non-commercial flights that were declared in which transport ministers and shadow ministers travelled as well.
A new book claims that Anthony Albanese sought upgrades for himself and his family by contacting then-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce directly. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins
Albanese said at least 10 of the 22 reported flights took place in 2013, during a leadership ballot with Bill Shorten and were paid for by the Australian Labor Party.
Anthony Albanese criticises Peter Dutton
He then took aim at Opposition leader Peter Dutton, urging him to explain flights organised by private parties.
"Peter Dutton has declared some of his flights. There is a difference between both of us. My flights were commercial, with Qantas or Virgin, or Emirates. They were all declared in the appropriate way," Albanese said.
"I didn't have to declare any flights on private jets owned by billionaires like Gina Rinehart because I haven't engaged in it."
Anthony Albanese took aim at Peter Dutton's own flight while defending accepting Qantas flight perks. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
"I just make the point that the person who is trying to sell a book, and fair enough, I don't see declarations that he's a former Liberal party staffer for a number of senior members of the Liberal party, including Joe Hockey and Bruce Baird," he said.
Appearing visibly frustrated, Albanese repeatedly asserted that he has always acted out of caution and been open about any perks obtained in public office.
"I have always acted in an open and transparent way.
"In my time in public life, I have acted with integrity, acted in a way that is entirely appropriate, and I have declared in accordance with the rules."
Book's author responds to Albanese
Aston has since hit back at the prime minister's comments about his earlier affiliation with the Liberal Party, calling them "beyond desperate".
"It is disclosed on the first line of the first page of the book, and has never been a secret," Aston wrote on social media platform X.
In his post, Aston shared a screenshot of the book's introduction, where it mentions he worked in the office of former Liberal MP Bruce Baird in 2006.
