Minister’s Qantas upgrade admission

Jason Clare has admitted to requesting a free flight upgrade from Qantas while on a personal trip to Singapore in 2019.

The Education Minister’s admission on Sunday came after a week of fiery exchanges between the Albanese government and the opposition, with both sides accusing the other of getting travel perks through dodgy dealings.

Mr Clare said he requested the seat bump after having a melanoma cut out of his leg, and was on his way to meet up with his family, who were already overseas at the time.

“That was a personal trip, and that was a situation where I had just got out of hospital,” he told Sky News.

“I had surgery on my leg and, yep, I asked for an upgrade and I was assisted by Qantas.”

Asked who he contacted, Mr Clare said he remembered “picking up the phone and asking for a bit of assistance” but that “can’t remember all of the details.”

Though, he said it was “probably” a government relations staffer at Qantas.

“I don’t want to mislead you, but I definitely asked for that just to help me after the surgery,” Mr Clare said.

Mr Clare did previously declare the upgrade, but did not include that he requested it.

A man named Andrew Parker headed government relations at Qantas during that time.

Citing Labor and Qantas sources, News.com.au reported earlier this week that Anthony Albanese had a close working relationship with Mr Parker when the Prime Minister served as transport minister in the Rudd government.

Mr Albanese has been weathering allegations he directly solicited free flight upgrades from ex-Qantas boss Alan Joyce.

He has vehemently denied the claims he directly spoke to Mr Joyce about upgrades, but a growing number of government and Qantas insiders have said Mr Albanese was able to secure free upgrades through the airline’s government affairs division.

News.com.au reported at least one former Labor staffer said that when staff wanted to upgrade they could call Mr Albanese’s office when he was transport minister and it would be sorted out for the right person.

NewsWire has contacted Mr Clare’s office to clarify if the upgrade was facilitated through Mr Parker.

NewsWire has also contacted Mr Parker.

Parliamentarians have been scrambling to get their declarations in order before the House of Representatives sits next week amid the heightened scrutiny sparked by claims against Mr Albanese.

Coalition senator Bridget McKenzie, who has led the opposition’s charge against Mr Albanese, confirmed herself earlier this week that she was probing her own travel records.

Meanwhile, expenses data showed Peter Dutton billed taxpayers $200,000 for chartered flights in the space of six months despite having cheaper viable options.

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