Reviewed By The Book 'The Chairman's Lounge', Australian PM Denies Calling Qantas Boss Asks For Aircraft Upgrade

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese / PHOTO via Instagram @albomp

JAKARTA - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied ever calling the boss of the Qantas airline to ask for an increase in aircraft cabins/seats.

Albanese denies accusations contained in books that cause political storms about integrity.

The controversy over the upgrade of this aircraft appears in a book about Qantas, "The Chairman's Lounge", written by Joe Aston.

It is suspected that Albanese's team requested a direct upgrade from Qantas CEO Lan Joyce, when Albanese became a member of parliament, before becoming prime minister.

In an ABC television interview on Monday, Aston said Albanese had called Joyce to ask for an upgrade to the plane's tickets/class.

The news that Australian politicians get free upgrades on flights is widespread information. Many are offered membership in luxury waiting rooms.

"The Prime Minister never called Alan Joyce to ask for an upgrade," Albanese's office said.

"All trips have been announced appropriately and become public records," the statement continued.