Independent member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, has called for an end to free airline upgrades, saying she has cancelled her Qantas and Virgin VIP lounge memberships.

Independent Member for Indie Helen Haines has also “started the process” to quit the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge, according to Nine Newspapers.

Spender on Monday said the public is understandably losing trust in politicians to make decisions impartially when they’re being given free upgrades from the companies they’re supposed to regulate.

“The best way to restore public trust is to simply end the upgrades,” she said.

The moves by the independent MPs comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied his staff requested flight upgrades from Qantas on his behalf.

It follows prolonged criticism of the Prime Minister after it emerged he received 22 flight upgrades – some when he was transport minister.

Special treatment

In a statement, Spender said special treatment of politicians by Qantas and Virgin had undermined public trust in
government and effective competition in the aviation industry.

“All sides of politics enjoy the perks and both major parties have failed to bring increased competition and lower fares to Australian travellers,” she said.

“I will be writing to Qantas and Virgin asking them not to give free upgrades to any MPs or Senators.”

Earlier on Monday, Albanese denied allegations he contacted former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to make a request, and said any upgrades given were all declared.

Asked if anyone in his office had inquired about an upgrade on his behalf, Albanese told the ABC, “not to my knowledge”.

“Everything has been declared, and I’ve had no upgrades as Prime Minister,” he said.

As the federal election looms in the first half of 2025, the controversy continues to plague the government, which has been accused by the opposition of being out of touch.

Albanese has also come under fire after it was revealed he bought a clifftop home for $4.3 million.

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said Australians were focused on making ends meet during a cost-of-living crisis, and denied ever asking for a flight upgrade.

“It really blows me away, and I think most people have had a gutful of it,” she told the ABC.

“The reputation of politicians gets worse every year, and we are to blame up here.

“Nobody else is to blame but the people here in the higher office.”

-with AAP