PETER VAN ONSELEN: The two reasons Anthony Albanese should sack himself now
In a downright pathetic attempt to distract from his own problems, the Prime Minister played the man not the ball today by falsely accusing the The Chairmans Lounge author of failing to disclose his past links to the Liberal Party.
In a downright pathetic attempt to distract from his own problems, the Prime Minister played the man not the ball today by falsely accusing the The Chairmans Lounge author of failing to disclose his past links to the Liberal Party.
Joe Astons book revealed Anthony Albaneses penchant for calling the former CEO of Qantas, Alan Joyce, to get free business class upgrades on personal flights. On no less than 22 occasions.
Aston briefly worked for the Liberal Party a lifetime ago.
I dont see declarations that hes a former Liberal Party staffer, Albanese said at a press conference today.
I dont see declarations that hes a former Qantas employee.
In fact Astons new book makes both declarations, on the very first line of the very first page, as the author pointed out on social media, posting the page as proof.
Aston also rightly labelled the PM beyond desperate.
That descriptor, however, doesnt go nearly far enough in condemning Albos attempt to turn his problems back on the author who exposed them.
It boggles the mind that Albo cant see what hes done wrong here. Instead he goes on the attack and digs a hole even deeper for himself in the process, writes Peter van Onselen
Joe Astons book revealed Anthony Albanese s penchant for calling the former CEO of Qantas , Alan Joyce, to get free business class upgrades on personal flights. On no less than 22 occasions.
It was false, grubby and highlights just how low this PM is prepared to stoop when put under pressure.
Former radio host Neil Mitchell tweeted that the PM should apologise to Aston, which of course he wont.
If Albo is too pig-headed to admit seeking business class upgrades while transport minister was wrong, he certainly wont pick up the phone and apologise for his latest mistake.
Rather than self-reflecting about his past conduct, the PM has attempted to shoot the messenger.
It was a downright pathetic attempt to deflect - the sort of action you would expect, frankly, from someone who would pester an airline CEO for freebies despite the perception of a conflict of interest.
Albanese did so while he was the transport minister responsible for aviation for heavens sakes! He also did it while he was Labors shadow transport spokesman and during his time as the Leader of the Opposition.
Aston disclosed his brief time as a staffer for the Liberal Party despite having long since then forged a high profile and successful career in journalism, skewering politicians on both sides of the major party divide.
No-one could reasonably claim Astons been a light touch on the Liberals since turning to journalism. Some of his most scathing commentary has been directed at Scott Morrison, for example.
It boggles the mind that Albo cant see what hes done wrong here. Instead he goes on the attack and digs a hole even deeper for himself in the process.
Perhaps the PM doesnt think he can admit to the error of his past ways, suggesting reforms to ensure no-one else does the same in the future. That would highlight hes the sort of person who needs definitive rules to not do the wrong thing because otherwise thats where his instincts take him.
Fancy being one of Albos spin doctors right now. Did one of them give him the Aston attack line? Or did he come up with that debasing callow idea all on his own?
No first-term government has lost a re-election attempt since 1931. To keep that streak going Labors top spin merchants need to find a way to drag Albaneses personal brand out of the toilet.
Make no mistake that is precisely where it is right now. Comments like those made about Aston all but flush Albos brand right into the sewer.
I bet Team Albo cant wait for next weeks US Presidential election to take the attention away from this issue.
But the damage has been done and wont be easily forgotten.
Anthony Albanese pictured with his mate, former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (right)
How do they sell a PM who spent the last decade calling the CEO of Qantas to request business class upgrades on personal flights?
Its unfathomable he doesnt think doing so was wrong on any level. Even though he was the transport minister responsible for the aviation sector when he did it.
And what Albo did was more than likely a breach of the ministerial code of conduct at the time too.
Kevin Rudd set the code up for his ministers in December 2007. It stated that: Ministers are required to exercise the functions of their public office unaffected by considerations of personal advantage.
How does that square with Albos constant requests for flight upgrades while transport minister?
The code goes on: Ministers, in their official capacity, may therefore accept customary official gifts, hospitality, tokens of appreciation, and similar formal gestures in accordance with the relevant guidelines, but must not seek or encourage any form of gift in their personal capacity.
It is the last part about not seeking gifts in their personal capacity that likely sees Albo fall foul of the rules when requesting flight upgrades on personal holidays for him and his family.
And while the PM claims he complied with disclosure requirements, we now know he didnt disclose upgrades granted to his wife at the time as is required under the rules.
Albo is now a drag on Labors chances of winning the next election. Put simply, the governments chances of winning would go up if he sacked himself and retired to his recently purchased $4.3million waterfront mansion.
But Albo wont do that. Even though in retirement hell be eligible for the exclusive gold travel card as part of the old fashion generous parliamentary pension scheme that will guarantee him a prescribed number of business class flights each year.
And he wont even have to shamelessly demean himself by calling up the CEO each time he wants a freebie business class flight to ask (beg?) for it.
