Why the Qantas saga is ‘classic Albanese’

7am

03-11-2024 • 15 mins

The prime minister’s relationship with former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, and whether he likes a free upgrade, has been the talk of Canberra, prompted by the publication of a new book called The Chairman’s Lounge.

Speculation about what the book would reveal had been swirling for months, and it was widely known in political circles that some of it would be bad for the prime minister.

But when the book was finally published, Albanese and his office seemed unprepared.

The saga, which played out over a week, and entangled politicians from both major parties, raises questions about how much our leaders love a freebie – and whether the prime minister in particular has lost touch with voters’ expectations.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis on The Chairman’s Lounge and whether it matters if politicians get a fancy drink in a fancy chair.


Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You Might Like

The Daily
The Daily
The New York Times
Global News Podcast
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
Ukraine: The Latest
Ukraine: The Latest
The Telegraph
Pod Save America
Pod Save America
Crooked Media
Full Story
Full Story
The Guardian
Economist Podcasts
Economist Podcasts
The Economist
The Journal.
The Journal.
The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet
Squiz Today
Squiz Today
Squiz Media
The Morning Edition
The Morning Edition
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
7am
7am
Schwartz Media
Infamous
Infamous
Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment
The Global Story
The Global Story
BBC World Service
The Rachel Maddow Show
The Rachel Maddow Show
Rachel Maddow, MSNBC
WSJ What’s News
WSJ What’s News
The Wall Street Journal