Aussie PM denies directly asking ex-Qantas CEO for upgrades

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denied personally calling former Qantas Airways Ltd. boss Alan Joyce to ask for flight upgrades, as a growing scandal over free perks provided by the national carrier threatens to engulf his government. Albanese was accused in a book by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston of personally contacting Joyce to ask for perks and receiving more than a dozen free upgrades. Since the story broke, the prime minister has said he declared all upgrades as well as his Chairman’s Lounge membership. In a statement on Thursday, Albanese’s office went further and denied he had contacted Joyce for perks. “The Prime Minister did not ever call Alan Joyce seeking an upgrade,” a spokesperson said. “All travel has been appropriately declared and is a matter of public record.” Local media reported that Albanese had also denied texting or emailing Joyce, or Qantas’ government relations representative, to request free flight upgrades. The airline didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on the claim that Albanese solicited upgrades directly from Joyce.<br/>