Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being accused of hypocrisy after attending an exclusive dinner at a $40 million Sydney harbourside home that is subject to a tax office security claim.
The meal was hosted by Felix Lee, the 25-year-old son of a Chinese billionaire who is accused of funnelling money from China into Australian bank accounts.
Alleged donation and political fallout
The Australian Financial Review reports that a $1 million donation to the Labor Party was promised at the dinner. Albanese previously dodged questions, saying he “attends lots of functions”.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek defended the Prime Minister while spruiking the government’s changes to electoral donation disclosure laws. “What they do is say no-one can make a donation larger than $50,000. And secondly, would have to disclose (donations) in pretty much real time,” Plibersek said.
Plibersek noted the homeowner was not present, only his son, and argued the Prime Minister cannot know everything about every function beforehand. She disputed the alleged donation amount, saying the Sydney Morning Herald reported less than $100,000 had been raised at the dinner.
Opposition calls for donation return
Nationals leader Matt Canavan said the situation “stinks” and called for the Labor Party to return the money. “At the very least here, the Prime Minister needs to explain why he didn’t know these issues,” Canavan said. “What the Labor Party should clearly do here is just give back the money or not take the donation.”
When pressed on whether the Prime Minister should return the money, Plibersek said it was a matter for the party, not the Prime Minister personally.
The Point Piper homeowner is reportedly being pursued by the tax authority for nearly $300 million in unpaid taxes and is allegedly on a payment scheme involving the property where the dinner was held.
