The political heat over free flight upgrades and lounge club membership has blown back onto the opposition today. Peter Dutton has clarified a claim he had never called the mining magnate, Gina Rinehart, to request access to her private jet. Mr Dutton now admits his office did enquire about whether the plane was available before accepting a free ride. But the Prime Minister has also had to issue a clarification of his own.
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00:00The Prime Minister hoped he'd reached the end of a turbulent week, but even after denying
00:08he'd ever called Alan Joyce seeking an upgrade, questions remained.
00:13The Prime Minister's office then confirming he didn't request free upgrades from anyone
00:17at Qantas via any form of communication.
00:21We find out this morning that the Prime Minister's clarified the clarifying statement.
00:25But delving into the Prime Minister's decade of declarations has opened a can of worms
00:30across the parliament.
00:32The Liberals have been holding themselves out to be pretty pure and pretty holier than
00:36thou.
00:37But then it turns out they've got problems.
00:40Two years ago Peter Dutton flew on billionaire Gina Reinhart's private jet to attend this
00:46Bali bombing memorial.
00:48It was declared, but on Tuesday came under question.
00:51Have you ever personally asked Gina Reinhart to fly around Australia?
00:55No.
00:56Today?
00:57The cheaper option for the taxpayer was for my office to speak to Mrs Reinhart's office
01:02as to whether the plane might be available.
01:04And opposition transport spokesperson Bridget McKenzie first claimed she'd never accepted
01:09an upgrade, then admitted she'd received one.
01:12Now she's asked the major airlines to check if there's more.
01:17Parliamentarians across the chamber have long lists of declarations.
01:22tickets, sporting games, travel and dinners.
01:26Part of the job?
01:27Perhaps.
01:28But also a window into who has their ear.
01:31Some are now questioning whether an independent examination of perks for politicians is needed.
01:37And possibly an overhaul of the rules.