According to his own diary, Anthony Albanese met with then Qantas CEO Alan Joyce on 23 November 2022. Yet, according to the PM’s office, no record of the meeting exists. What’s the scam?
As you might expect, you can’t just have a meeting with the Prime Minister. There’s a formal process that goes like this:
- A formal request is made with a proposed agenda.
- The request is considered by the Prime Minister’s office.
- An entry is made in the PM’s diary.
- The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet provides the Prime Minister with a briefing that covers the proposed agenda.
- The meeting occurs.
- A record of the meeting is made, and follow-up actions are taken.
Unless, of course, you’re the person who can hand out Qantas Chairman’s Lounge memberships to family members. That … appears to be the scam.
PMO response to FOI request re PM’s meeting with Alan Joyce.
Of course, we know they met. After a long-running battle to keep his diary secret, Albanese was forced to disclose it.
Rex Patrick is a former Senator for South Australia and earlier a submariner in the armed forces. Best known as an anti-corruption and transparency crusader - www.transparencywarrior.com.au.