The detail Anthony Albanese missed about his ex-wife after his staggering perks were revealed

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not declare thousands of dollars worth of business class flight upgrades gifted to his ex-wife for their personal travels.

Mr Albanese and his former wife, NSW politician Carmel Tebbutt, travelled to Los Angeles, Honolulu and Europe between 2009 and 2013, while he was the transport minister, opposition transport spokesman and opposition leader.

The pair received upgrades from economy to business class, which Mr Albanese declared on his official register of interests, from Qantas and its partner airline Emirates.

However, Mr Albanese did not declare the business class upgrades Ms Tebbutt received for the same trips and locations, the Australian Financial Review reported.

Thats despite the disclosure rules stating that upgrades for spouses and dependent children should be notified.

Ms Tebbutt declared updates to her register of interests, detailing personal flights she took between 2008 and 2011 during her tenure as the state’s deputy premier.

In some instances, she also provided more details than Mr Albanese disclosed in his own declaration, including the cities she flew to and the class she travelled in.

In 1986, a resolution was passed in the House of Representatives that required an MP to notify of any alteration of their interests.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) has come under fire for not declaring Business class upgrades gifted to his ex-wife, NSW politician Carmel Tebbutt (left)

Mr Albanese received at least 22 free Qantas upgrades from economy class for personal travel and also for his family, according to a new book 

Under the resolution, failure to notify of any alterations within the 28 days of the change occurring would render the MP guilty of serious contempt. 

The book The Chairmans Lounge, by former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston, revealed Mr Albanese received at least 22 free Qantas upgrades from economy class for personal travel and also for his family. 

The Prime Minister on Sunday told reporters he had declared every upgrade he received.   

From time to time, members of parliament receive upgrades, what’s important is that they are declared, Mr Albanese said. 

All of mine have been declared. I note that a range of them go back a long, a long period of time. They’ve all been declared as appropriate.

In his book, Aston also claims Mr Albanese personally approached Mr Joyce to get dozens of free Qantas flight upgrades including with an international partner on a trip to Rome. 

Qantas executives are able to authorise space available upgrades - which is an upgrade granted to a passenger only if there is an empty business or first class seat after check-in has closed. 

The book claims Mr Albanese received guaranteed upgrades, a perk only Mr Joyce was allowed to issue. 

Mr Albaneses relationship with former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce was called into question

Mr Albanese shutdown questions about his relationship with the former Qantas chief executive. 

[Alan Joyce] was the CEO of the national airline, and as the CEO of the national airline I had the same relationship with him that I have with John Borghetti as the CEO of Virgin, Mr Albanese said. 

The book also claims Mr Albanese asked Mr Joyce to make his son a member of airlines exclusive Chairmans Lounge, an invitation only perk, after he won the May 2022 election. 

Mr Albanese did not include his sons upgrades on his declaration of interests and explained his son had simply become his plus one after his marriage with Ms Tebbutt ended in 2019.   

My relationship ended. and my plus one became my son, Mr Albanese said. 

I think that peoples families shouldnt be the subject of targeting. That is all that happened, simple as that.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud said Mr Albaneses actions didnt pass the pub test, especially given Labors decision to reject Qatars push for more flights in Australia putting them in competition with Qantas.

I think the Prime Minister simply has to put it to bed one way or another. Come out and disclose exactly what happened, he said.

And if he didnt declare it on his pecuniary interest, why not?

And I think thats a reasonable question to ask considering the significant decisions that this governments made around airfares and airlines in this country.

I think its important for the Prime Minister to preserve the status of his office to come out and do that today. Not hide as he did yesterday.

Mr Littleproud was referring to an abruptly ended press conference the Prime Minister gave in Samoa on Saturday, where he was attending the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting.

Consumer Champions Adam Glezer said Mr Albaneses actions were inappropriate, and said politicians and decision makers shouldnt be allowed to accept perks like Chairmans Lounge access and free upgrades. 

How can decision makers receive such incredible perks and make impartial decisions? All you have to do is look at the lack of competition in this country and our pathetic consumer laws when it comes to aviation, he said. 

I think the Prime Minister has a lot to answer to. I would love to know why he had the right to receive the complimentary upgrades without paying for it where us mere mortals have to save up for years in order to enjoy a business class seat. 

Employment Relations Minister Murray Watt on Sunday defended Mr Albanese and declined to comment further.

What I can assure you ... is that at all times, Labor has had the national interest at the front of our attention when it comes to our decisions about aviation policy, he told Sky News.