‘Decided to shoot the messenger’: Joe Aston hits back at Albanese amid Qantas revelations

Author of ‘The Chairman’s Lounge’ Joe Aston has claimed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has an “insatiable appetite for VIP travel and hospitality” in an exclusive interview with Sky News Australia. In the interview with host Sharri Markson, Mr Aston delved into the controversy surrounding the fallout of Mr Albanese and the Qantas flights scandal. The Prime Minister has come under fire after Mr Aston revealed in his book the extensive upgrades Mr Albanese received while working in the transport portfolio. Mr Albanese has faced a barrage of criticism regarding allegations he solicited tens of thousands of dollars of business and first-class upgrades from former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce. The Prime Minister admitted he discussed flights with the former Qantas CEO but declined to answer specific questions about whether he had solicited upgrades. “He’s unfortunately decided to shoot the messenger, and he seems unable to answer the only question that people are interested in hearing,” Mr Aston said.