Push for total ban after flights saga
Written by admin on November 6, 2024
The Greens are calling for a total ban on free flight upgrades for politicians amid furore over revelations around MPs’ travel perks.
Parliamentarians have been scrambling to get their mandatory declarations in order since Anthony Albanese was accused of soliciting free seat bumps from former Qantas boss Alan Joyce.
The ensuing scrutiny has painted a picture of Australia’s elected representatives enjoying cosy relationships with airlines.
Greens transport spokeswoman Elizabeth Watson-Brown said on Wednesday MPs get paid enough and do not need “freebies when they travel.”
“This is about restoring trust and integrity in how MPs and senators engage with the aviation sector,” Ms Watson-Brown said.
“Banning free flight upgrades would help curb any potentially inappropriate behaviour from MPs and prevent airlines from wielding undue influence over political decisions.”
She said it was “completely understandable for people to be questioning Qantas’ relationship with the very same MPs and ministers that regulate them.”
“In a cost-of-living crisis that’s seeing people across the country struggle to pay for food and rent, MPs on generous salaries don’t need to be getting freebies when they travel,” Ms Watson-Brown said.
The call for a ban came amid reporting that Bridget McKenzie, the senior opposition senator leading the charge on the Prime Minister’s alleged ties to Qantas, failed to disclose more than a dozen free flight upgrades since entering parliament on her register of interests.
Last week, the Coalition frontbencher wrote to Qantas, Virgin and Regional Express (Rex) to check if the airlines had given her any special treatment.
Qantas and Virgin have responded to Senator McKenzie confirming she did get more than 12 upgrades, the Australian Financial Review reported, citing sources.
If confirmed, the Coalition frontbencher could face severe penalties for being in serious breach of disclosure rules.
NewsWire has contacted Senator McKenzie’s office for comment.
Meanwhile, shadow treasurer Angus Taylor dodged questions while speaking to reporters in Canberra on Wednesday morning.
“I don’t know that any of that’s been verified,” he said, adding that Mr Albanese’s alleged Qantas perks were the “real issue”.
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Earlier this week teal independents announced they were cancelling their cancelling their VIP lounge memberships.
Allegra Spender led the charge on Monday, calling out both Labor and the Coalition for enjoying favours from airlines while not boosting competition in Australia’s aviation industry.
All federal MPs and senior public servants are given access to the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge.
