How Nathan Albanese secured an internship at consulting giant PwC ‘after his dad’s conversation with executive’

Anthony Albanese’s son took on an internship at beleaguered consultancy giant PwC after his father reportedly spoke to one of the firm’s top executives.

Nathan Albanese – the only son of the Prime Minister and his ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt – took on a two-week unpaid internship with the firm back in June 2021, according to the Australian Financial Review’s Joe Aston.

The publication claimed Nathan, now aged 22, worked in the firm’s Economics Policy Unit under chief economist, Jeremy Thorpe.

Mr Albanese, the then Opposition Leader, reportedly spoke with former PwC government relations boss, Sean Gregory, about an internship for Nathan in the first half of 2021. 

Mr Albanese thanked PwC CEO Tom Seymour at a function months after his son completed his placement.

Mr Seymour was reportedly unaware at the time that Nathan had an internship with the firm.  The two-week internship went ahead despite there being no such program available at the company.

‘There is no application process open to the public. There is no twice-yearly intake. This is an opportunity provided on an individual, ad hoc basis almost exclusively to the relatives of influential people,’ the AFR’s Rear Window column reported.

‘So, then, why would PwC do it? For one reason. The same reason you make a political donation – it’s a variation of the same theme: to earn the firm a place in the trust and good favour of that influential parent.’

Mr Albanese’s office has labelled the claim as ‘incorrect’. 

After graduating from university last year, Nathan now works full-time at the Commonwealth Bank.

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It comes after questions were raised about why Nathan was granted access to Qantas’ exclusive Chairman’s Lounge.

Membership of the Chairman’s Lounge is typically reserved for celebrities, business executives and big name politicians, and visitors are reportedly personally selected by the CEO, Alan Joyce.

There are six Charmain’s Lounges at airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, discretely hidden away from the travelling public.

Members enjoy plush leather sofas, food from a buffet or a la carte menu, a complementary bar that is always open and, above all, peace and quiet.

Mr Albanese has not declared the hospitality given to his son in an official register of interests

The prime minister and Qantas have enjoyed a close relationship in recent years.

Outgoing Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced the airline’s support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which has been brought forward by the Albanese government, last week.

The announcement coincided with the unveiling of three Qantas planes emblazoned with the ‘Yes23’ logo and a photo opportunity with Mr Albanese and Mr Joyce at an official launch party.

Yes campaigners are granted free domestic travel by the airline.