Given the possibly corrupt conduct of Airbus Albo when he was Minister for Transport and possibly also while he has been Prime Minister, I think it's prudent for the Senate to open a formal inquiry with subpoena powers into the governments' decision to deny Qatar Airways' request for additional flights into Australia. Clearly, this is something Alan Joyce would have lobbied hard against with Airbus Albo, his Minister for Transport or both.

One has to wonder how Albo's relationship with Joyce and all the freebies and upgrades he's gotten (including those while he was Minister for Transport under Rudd/Gillard) affected his governments' decision to deny Qatar Airways, when granting them access would have almost certainly seen airfares drop, according to industry experts.

There should absolutely be a formal Senate inquiry into this decision, which the government still refuses to fully explain other than to say "it was in the national interest". Sorry, but that is just too vague and doesn't pass the pub test, not now that we know about all the upgrades and possible requests for upgrades he's received.

I agree however, given the now documented cases of freebies for all what would a inquiry accomplish?

They have all been doing it!

And if they don’t get into the chairman’s lounge they have complete meltdowns like the idiot women from Tasmania. Clive palmers girl- watshername.

Errr…you got one……what was the outcome.  After all, the Opposition called for it

"A senate inquiry into blocked Qatar flights is established
The opposition succeeds in getting a senate inquiry into the government’s decision to block Qatar Airways’ bid across the line – by a single vote. The inquiry’s scope was broadened to investigate all federal government decisions relating to commonwealth bilateral air service agreements received in the last 12 months.
“The Senate will now hold a special inquiry into why the prime minister and his government is standing in the way of cheaper air fares,” Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, who drove the agenda, said at the time. McKenzie, who accused the government of running a “protection racket” for Qantas, added, “This is a win for everyday Australians who want more competition and lower air fares in our aviation sector”.
The government maintains its decision had no commercial factors and was in the national interest. Joyce could join successor Vanessa Hudson in fronting another Senate grilling.”

https://www.forbes.com.au/news/investing/qantas-qatar-government-inquiry-what-to-know/

Perhaps it was cancelled because too many LNP fingers might have been burnt?

Vic wrote on Oct 31^st, 2024 at 1:00pm:

Perhaps it was cancelled because too many LNP fingers might have been burnt?

They all as corrupt as each other!

“ The opposition succeeds in getting a senate inquiry into the government’s decision to block Qatar Airways’ bid across the line – by a single vote”

Anyone got the name of that single voter?

I’d like to cross reference it to the list of politicians enjoying upgrades in today’s media!

You aren't very good at this armpit but then you never were ;)

“ In short:
Jason Clare admits he asked for and received a flight upgrade on an international Qantas trip for personal reasons.
The education minister says he solicited the upgrade after receiving surgery.
What's next?
The government has been pressured to establish an inquiry into MP travel perks.”

“Abc

What’s next? Nothing, despite clear policy against this rort absolutely nothing will happen to all the politicians involved. No one is going too want a inquiry into the rorting because they are all guilty of it.

“ Bipartisanship is alive and well in Qantas Chairman’s Lounge, where politicians are on a unity ticket to protect the greatest perk of all”

“ Smh

Albo could've flat out denied it but he went back through the records to see whether it was all declared before releasing a statement , all above board . Unlike spud who.denied he rang Gina then had to.do a 180  :D

Just like Jason Clare who had a 15 buck bottle of wine and got a phone charger,  all declared ... spud really needs to pick his battles as this is embarrassing

This is better than the Melbourne cup!

Heading down the straight’s of corruption and rorts we have Albo and Duddo head to head but WAIT here comes Barnaby Joyce galloping down the outside screaming “ nothing too declare here “ . Really

Barnaby 😅

I already been told they can’t prosecute me over my living for free in Canberra rort while I claim the full lives away from home allowance 😎

Embattled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce insists he can survive the scandal that has rocked his personal life and political career as Fairfax Media revealed he charged taxpayers to spend 50 nights in Canberra when Parliament was not sitting in 2017 - more than any other cabinet minister.

Official expense records show Mr Joyce claimed $16,690 in travel allowance for out-of-session nights in the nation's capital between January 1 and September 30, 2017. That is significantly more than top government figures such as Treasurer Scott Morrison, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Mr Joyce was acting Prime Minister for 10 of those 50 nights. Under the rules, Mr Joyce was entitled to claim $276 per night for official business as Deputy Prime Minister and $565 per night as acting Prime Minister.

:D

Labor majority government wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2024 at 3:57pm:

Albo could've flat out denied it but he went back through the records to see whether it was all declared before releasing a statement , all above board . Unlike spud who.denied he rang Gina then had to.do a 180  :D

All above board? You're not very good at this, are you? You think asking for free upgrades on personal flights while in the role of Minister for Transport from an airline company over which you have regulatory authority is "above board"? If you do, then you're more corrupt than Airbus Albo, and a greater fool.

Did you notice Libs in question time haven't touched it , sky news were getting all fired up about not much , and we all know why the Libs weren't going there  ;)

Armchair_Politician wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 5:11am:

Labor majority government wrote on Nov 3rd, 2024 at 3:57pm: Albo could've flat out denied it but he went back through the records to see whether it was all declared before releasing a statement , all above board . Unlike spud who.denied he rang Gina then had to.do a 180  :D All above board? You're not very good at this, are you? You think asking for free upgrades on personal flights while in the role of Minister for Transport from an airline company over which you have regulatory authority is "above board"? If you do, then you're more corrupt than Airbus Albo, and a greater fool.

How is that different from getting free flights from mining magnates when you control a large percentage of the voting block on energy policy :D :D :D

Another question time, two days now ... not a mention from spud not a single word armpit .. Bridget really has made him look like an absolute fool  :D

Labor majority government wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 8:35pm:

Another question time, two days now ... not a mention from spud not a single word armpit .. Bridget really has made him look like an absolute fool  :D

Yes! Bridget is the new Barnaby, every single kick she takes results in a home goal.

The liberals need cut the dead weight of the National party free.

It’s all over now till the next rort is uncovered I guess

Daves2017 wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 8:39pm:

The liberals need cut the dead weight of the National party free.

Without the Nats the libs would never win an election

I'll say it again - despite the polls that show a majority of Australians want politicians to refuse upgrades.

If an upgrade is available AT THE TIME - I see no reason why anyone should not get one - but I would prefer they went first to the disabled etc - not to those who don't need them.**  As for special lounges - you can be a member for paying a fee..... and a fee will be a hefty one for a lounge that caters for twenty people a day.

**I can't travel to Europe with the Old Girl - her equipment would take up half the hold.... not quite - but with her conditions, the space in First or Business would be a great help - she can't even squeeze into Cattle seats, let alone between two fat Lebs ....

This would have to be the most incompetent opposition I've seen in my lifetime , attempted another smear campaign and ended up with another faceful of egg .. you can't make this stuff up

... Albo did NOT have sex with that man!......

Labor majority government wrote on Nov 6^th, 2024 at 8:55am:

This would have to be the most incompetent opposition I've seen in my lifetime , attempted another smear campaign and ended up with another faceful of egg .. you can't make this stuff up

My unshakable belief is that all Oppositions are equally inept.... the quality is just not there in either government or opposition these days... they are all straw men in Oz - not actually taking a stand on anything or having the brain to do it with...  some of the policies are utterly insane - and yet 'oppositions' don't come out against them...

Instead of standing for something - win or lose on the merit of the issue - they just wait for the 'other side' to self-destruct, then they just walk in and go to sleep at the wheel while being paid the fattest in the land, until they, in turn, self-destruct....

Meanwhile The People are sucking wind in Tent City or One Pay Away City .... or One Slip Away City ...

Poor Fellow - My Country!!

Day three in question time., still no mention from the serial rorters  :D

Another one - and a few more who actually declared their memberships.

WA Premier Roger Cook fails to disclose membership of Qantas Chairman's Lounge


Quote:

WA Premier Roger Cook has conceded he failed to disclose his membership of the Qantas Chairman's Lounge to parliament this year. A review of the WA parliament's annual disclosures for 2023-2024 revealed WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti, Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley and Housing Minister John Carey, and former WA Nationals leader Mia Davies, declared their membership to the lounge. But despite the premier telling journalists last week, when asked, that he was a member, that was not detailed on his annual disclosure.

(This was also 'tucked away' on page 16 of today's The West Australian newspaper).

No wonder the airlines (especially Qantas and extra especially under that evil little leprechaun former CEO) and airports, etc. can pretty much do whatever they want these days.

Because they appear to have the majority of our 'senior' pollies in their pockets.

And it is becoming more and more obvious why Australia had to eventually 'surrender to Covid' and 'live with' the seemingly endless death and illness the virus is causing.

"Politicians should wear sponsor jackets like NASCAR drivers, then we know who owns them" - Robin Williams.

“shadow transport minister Bridget McKenzie has confirmed she failed to declare16 free flight upgrades between 2015 and this year.
The revelation came after she conducted an audit of her flight history, amid a wider debate over political travel perks.
What's next?
The previously undisclosed upgrades will now appear on Senator McKenzie's register of interests. “

---

Apropos of Albo – have you ever called former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce personally to seek an upgrade for your flights? It would take most of us around two seconds to reply. But for Anthony Albanese, it is a most complex question.

Actually, I would go further and say in Albanese’s case it is one of the most complicated questions he has ever faced. In terms of complexity it is up there with “Have you ever won an Olympic gold medal” or “Did you ever go on a date with Christie Brinkley” or “Have you ever done a swan dive from the Empire State Building”.

But as Albanese would tell you, he is not afraid of the big questions. He just prefers the media ask him sensible ones related to his line of work as he sees it. You know, something like “What is Toto’s favourite snack” or “How did it feel when you discovered your chip packet had more air than crisps”.
;D ;D

Sky are panning Bridgette as we speak. And now the serial rorter sussssan in the cross-hairs... another lnp egg on face moment  ;D ;D :D

Albo gives the libs enough rope and they hang themselves every last time  ;D