Read the Qantas passenger’s angry texts accusing Bill Shorten of ‘coughing like a pack-a-day smoker’ on a flight WITHOUT a mask two days before he tested positive for Covid
- Bill Shorten flew Qantas from Perth to Melbourne on Wednesday 4th May
- The passenger, seated behind a row, claims Mr Shorten was “constantly coughing”.
- The former Labor leader tested positive for Covid-19 two days later, on May 6
- Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Shorten suffered from bronchitis and asthma
- It is understood he did not have Covid during the flight
An angry Qantas passenger has accused Bill Shorten of coughing “like a pack-a-day smoker” without wearing his mask on a flight just two days before he tested positive for Covid-19.
Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Shorten suffered from asthma and bronchitis and tested negative for Covid before and after the flight.
The disgruntled passenger told Sydney’s radio 2GB that Mr Shorten was “constantly coughing” in the line ahead of him from Perth to Melbourne on Wednesday May 4.
During the flight, he texted a friend, saying, “On the plane to Melbourne, Bill Shorten is in the front seat, coughing like a day smoker.”
An irate Qantas passenger has accused Bill Shorten (pictured) of coughing “like a pack-a-day smoker” without wearing his mask on a flight
The passenger texted a friend (above) during the flight, saying, “On the plane to Melbourne, Bill Shorten is in the front seat coughing like a pack a day smoker.”
The passenger later told 2GB: “I spoke to him on the plane because in the row in front of me he kept coughing, often without a mask.”
The man reportedly asked Mr Shorten if he was exempt from wearing a mask and the former Labor leader apparently replied: “I’ll have a drink”.
The passenger claimed Mr Shorten’s glass was empty.
The man said he was on his way to a funeral in Melbourne and was worried about catching Covid and passing it on to the elderly.
He said he could not see Mr Shorten while seated, but claimed the former Labor leader was not wearing a mask every time he stood up.
Later in the flight, the couple collided on their way back from the lavatory.
“On the way back from the toilet, he stopped me and said he was coughing because of his asthma,” the passenger said.
The man reportedly told Mr Shorten to still wear a mask.
“He put on a mask after I spoke to him and wore it for most of the flight,” the man told 2GB.
As the plane was about to land, the passenger claimed Mr Shorten made a “smart” comment about his mask being on his chin – but the passenger said he had been drinking and his glass was in his hand.
The man said Mr Shorten was “constantly coughing” in the row in front of him. Pictured: Stock image of a Qantas flight
Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Shorten had been testing every day and only tested positive for the virus on Friday 6 May.
A source close to Mr Shorten said he always wears his mask on flights when not eating or drinking.
The former Labor leader’s office declined to comment.
