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Support is growing to ban parliamentarians accepting free flight upgrades, but the major parties have labelled it more “grandstanding” from independents.
Teal independent MPs Allegra Spender, Helen Haines and Kate Chaney, who were elected on platforms of strengthening integrity in politics, on Monday said they had written to Qantas and Virgin asking to have their lounge access revoked.
Kooyong MP Monique Ryan and ACT Senator David Pocock have relinquished their lounge memberships.
The independents’ acts of self-abnegation came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied his staff requested upgrades from Qantas on his behalf, following revelations he received 22 flight upgrades – some when he was transport minister.
Ms Spender said she would write to Qantas and Virgin asking them not to give free upgrades to any MPs or senators.
“Parliamentarians should not be taking free upgrades from Qantas or Virgin,” she said.
The public was understandably losing trust in politicians to make decisions impartially when they were getting free upgrades from companies they are supposed to regulate, Ms Spender said.
“The best way to restore public trust is to simply end the upgrades.”
She called a review of the Ministerial Code of Conduct and tighter rules governing what perks politicians can accept.
Greens leader Adam Bandt was “totally open” to a ban on flight upgrades for parliamentarians’ personal travel.
But Labor MP Luke Gosling, who represents the Darwin electorate of Solomon, took aim at Ms Spender, who faces a much more manageable commute to Canberra from her home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
“It’s a bit rich for the people with harbour views who either drive or have less than a one-hour flight to be … trying to grandstand, like the independents often do,” he told ABC News.
Melbourne-based Liberal MP Aaron Violi agreed with Mr Gosling and echoed comments from North Queensland MP Warren Entsch, who said parliamentarians travelling from far afield relied on airport lounges to do their work.
Mr Albanese said any upgrades he had been given were all declared.
Asked if anyone in his office had inquired about an upgrade on his behalf, Mr Albanese told the ABC, “not to my knowledge”.
“Everything has been declared and I’ve had no upgrades as prime minister,” he said.
As the federal election looms in the first half of 2025, the controversy continues to plague the government which has been accused by the opposition of being out of touch.
Mr Albanese has also come under fire after it was revealed he bought a clifftop home for $4.3 million.
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie said Australians were focused on making ends meet during a cost-of-living crisis and denied ever asking for a flight upgrade.
“It really blows me away and I think most people have had a gut full of it,” she told the ABC.
“The reputation of politicians gets worse every year and we are to blame up here.
“Nobody else is to blame but the people here in the higher office.”
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