“ Joe Aston got the kind of book launch every first time author dreams
of - massive amounts of free publicity online, in newspapers and on TV and radio.
And it was all thanks to Anthony Albanese's ill-informed
attack on Aston over what was written in his book, The Chairman's Lounge - The Inside Story of how Qantas sold us out.
Despite the resultant terrible publicity - which has led to
him being called 'upgrade Albo' - and calls for an inquiry, Aston told Daily Mail Australia his book is 'not
a hit job on Anthony Albanese'.
Aston insisted he's 'not trying to get a scalp', but
reiterated that the Prime Minister 'had a direct line to
Alan Joyce'.
The book claims Mr Albanese got 22 upgrades from economy on Qantas flights by personally requesting
them from the airline's then CEO Mr Joyce - which the Prime Minister
has categorically denied.
According to unnamed Qantas 'insiders', 11 of the 22 flights Mr Albanese
got upgrades for were 'privately funded' and included overseas trips to Rome, London, Los Angeles
and Honolulu.
But instead of addressing the claim, Mr Albanese chose
to shoot the messenger and, in turn, shot himself in the foot.
He said Aston was using the accusations to sell books and said he was
hiding his employment history.
'I don't see declarations that he's a former Liberal
Party staffer… I don't see declarations he's a former Qantas
employee,' the Prime Minister said.
But before the book even gets to the contents page there is a photo of
Aston that refers to him as the then-Qantas corporate communications senior adviser.
Joe Aston (pictured) got the kind of book launch every first time author dreams of - massive amounts of free publicity online, in newspapers and on TV and radio
Anthony Albanese (right) is pictured with his fiance Jodie Haydon (left) and then Qantas CEO
Alan Joyce on March 31, 2023 in Sydney, Australia
And the first chapter of the book reveals that he worked for then-Liberal MP Bruce Baird, who held the southern Sydney seat of Cook before Scott Morrison.
'My professional history is not a secret or not disclosed, it's
in the first line of the first page of the book,' Aston said on Tuesday night, just before his book launch.
Though he was grateful for the free publicity Mr Albanese's
response gave the book, Aston was still 'staggered' at the untrue claims about him the Prime Minister made.
'He's under enormous pressure and I know, I've seen this many
times with public figures and leaders who struggle to see their own part in it, the
terrible circumstances that they create,' he said.
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Asked if Mr Albanese had been poorly advised in his attack, Aston, who
is a former Australian Financial Review columnist, wonders if the Prime
Minister 'even listens to advice at this point'.
'All he's doing is talking around the issue and he's blaming me and he's blaming other MP's for also taking upgrades (on Qantas flights).
'He's avoiding the only thing that he can't talk about, which is, did you ask Qantas
for confirmed upgrades on your private holidays when you were the
Transport Minister? The answer is "yes" and he's desperately trying to avoid saying
it.'
Smelling blood, Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the Prime Minister should
refer himself to the anti-corruption commission over the flight upgrades.
Coming on top of Mr Albanese's tone deaf purchase of a $4.3million clifftop mansion while so many people
are struggling to pay their mortgage or rent, the latest blow to his credibility has led
to calls for him to resign.
Aston refuses to be drawn on this, though.
'I never expected this (part of the book) to even this part to get this far.
I really am shocked at how it's blown up.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured with the then Qantas CEO Alan Joyce
Anthony Albanese is pictured on August 14, 2023 as Qantas unveiled its Yes23 livery in support of a Yes vote in the Indigenous
Voice to Parliament referendum
Among the movers and shakers at Joe Aston's book launch
in the ritzy Hemmesphere club in Sydney was Tabcorp director David Gallop (pictured)
Paul Barry (pictured in blue shirt), the host of the ABC's Media Watch show, was
also at the launch
'So to the extent that it has, I would say ... anyone
who reads the book will learn that this book is not a hit job on Anthony Albanese.
This book is about Qantas.
'Anthony Albanese is an example of how Qantas influences politicians on both
sides of the aisle, Labor, Liberal, National, you name it.
They've been doing it for more than a generation.
'They're the best influence peddler in Australia. I'm not here trying to get a scalp.
That's not what this book is about and it never was.'
But the conversation Daily Mail Australia had
with Aston mirrors the conversations being had across Australia and eventually winds up back on Mr Albanese.
'Even I've underestimated how fed up the public is with the freebie mindset of politicians,' he said.
Guests at Joe Aston's book launch on Tuesday night are pictured pointing for emphasis or to someone they recognise
There was no shortage of free alcohol (pictured) available at the launch of Joe Aston's book
Joe Aston is pictured in the exclusive Hemmesphere club in Sydney, where his book The Chairman's Lounge was launched
'And unfortunately for Albanese, he's been in politics a long time and that kind of behaviour is
quite normalised to him, is what I've seen.
'I mean, he loves the free concert tickets and sitting at the front row of the Australian Open Tennis.
'I went to the Australian Open Tennis as a journalist
almost every year for 12 years and he was the only Prime Minister
(I saw there).
'Those tickets are worth thousands of dollars to sit in the front
row of the International Grand Slam. He's the first Prime Minister who I've ever seen do
that.
'That to me is a sign that he doesn't quite get what it looks
like to others when he's on the gravy train. And I think (the claims
in the book are) just another example of that.'
In Australian politics it's regular practise for an MP's travel
to be booked in economy, then someone in their office phones the airline and asks if their flight can be upgraded.
The difference with the Prime Minister is that 'he had
a very direct line to Alan Joyce,' Aston said.
'The other thing is there's a difference between an upgrade where it's in the booking and if the seat's empty when the flight closes,
you'll get upgraded.
'This is different. This is a confirmed upgrade where the ticket is converted and you are guaranteed.
You're not going to the airport crossing your fingers going "Geez, I hope there is a spare seat".
'You're guaranteed. You turn up knowing you're getting a seat and
the only person at Qantas who can issue those types of upgrades is the CEO.
No other executive can do that.
'So it is beyond question that Alan joints authorised these upgrades (for Anthony Albanese).'
Aston enjoyed many upgrades to the pointy end of planes during his time as a travel journalist, and understands the attraction for
politicians to get up there.
'These things are tempting and it's human nature too.
Once you've experienced the front of the plane, it's very
hard to go back.
'For politicians, they run around with all these staff and they've got chauffeured cars
and they fly in business, but they don't get paid like CEOs ...
'They're not in a situation where they can afford to go flying around in the front of
the plane on personal travel.
'A normal person would say "Therefore I won't (fly business class). But (for politicians) it's a culture of entitlement.'
Aston is careful to point out that most people would say politicians are 'very well paid compared to the average worker'.
But that doesn't stop some MPs from desperately seeking a free ride, whether it's a flight upgrade, concert tickets or the executive box at sporting events.
Late on Wednesday night, a spokeswoman Mr Albanese said 'The Prime Minister did not ever call Alan Joyce seeking an upgrade'.
'All travel has been appropriately declared and is a matter of public record.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Qantas for comment.
The Chairman's Lounge - The Inside Story of how Qantas sold us out, by Joe Aston, is available now in bookshops and from online retailers
WHAT IS THE QANTAS CHAIRMAN'S LOUNGE?
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge is an invitation-only club approved by the company chairman, with the guest list a closely-guarded secret.
It has been dubbed 'the most exclusive club in the country' and comes with a distinct black card.
Members include senior-ranking MPs such as ministers, state premiers and the Prime Minister, leaders of major unions and sporting groups, Qantas ambassadors, selected A-list celebrities, major corporate figures and high-profile media personalities.
The clubs can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide airports but are not signposted - you have to know where to look.
Inside you will find expensive wood and brass furnishings, wool carpet and marble flooring, all bathed in natural light.
Members enjoy fine à la carte dining with a complimentary premium array of beers, spirits and Australian wines. Wine bottles are often given as departing gifts.
Facilities may also include spas, showers and an assortment of books and magazines.
Members may bring in two guests at a time.
Lounge attendants personally alert you when your flight is ready to board, and your personal preferences are logged for each flight.
Membership also entitles you to first-class facilities at Qantas partner airlines.
Source: Executive Traveller
Anthony Albanese ”