Sky News contributor James Bolt says the Qatar Airways debacle for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a “damaging look” if he is telling the truth.

“Let’s take Albanese at his word that he was never actually lobbied by anyone from Qantas,” Mr Bolt told Sky News host James Macpherson.

“Or by Alan Joyce, despite all these meetings he had with them.

“Let’s say that’s true.

“How influential is Qantas that they can meet with him this many times, never even bring up the Qatar Airways decision, and just sit there patiently knowing he is going to do exactly what they want anyway.”