Bill Shorten has been criticised for reportedly failing to wear a mask on a flight, days before he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

A listener was seated behind the Labor MP on Qantas flight 782 from Perth to Melbourn on May 4.

The passenger has revealed to Ben Fordham Live that Mr Shorten failed to wear a mask and coughed throughout the flight.

“I spoke to him on the plane because he was in the row in front of me coughing constantly, a lot of the time without a mask on,” the listener said.

“On my way back from the toilet he stopped me and said that he was coughing because of his asthma.

“He put a mask on after I spoke to him and had it on for most of the flight.”

A text sent by the listener.

“I’m no fan of masks and I think it should be up to the individual if they want to wear one,” Ben Fordham said.

“But there are rules in place about when it comes to what you do when you’re on a flight.”

A few days later, Mr Shorten confirmed he’d tested positive to coronavirus.

An advisor from Mr Shorten’s office told Ben Fordham in a statement, “I travel with Bill a lot … and he always wears a mask – except when eating or drinking”.

Press PLAY below to hear Ben’s comments in full

Image: Getty/Sam Mooy