SerpApi.Org
- Albanese attends billionaire's exclusive dinner
- His office said they do not comment on private dinners
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attended an exclusive dinner hosted by the son of Chinese billionaire property developer Phillip Dong Fang Lee, who has reportedly pledged about $1 million to the Labor Party.
Albanese arrived at Mandalay, the Lee family's sprawling waterfront mansion estate in Point Piper overlooking Sydney Harbour, for the gathering on Monday night.
He was one of eight guests hosted by 25-year-old Felix Lee, sources told the Australian Financial Review's Rear Window column.
Guests also included Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn, former Victorian premier Dan Andrews, former ASIC chairman James Shipton and former Future Fund chairman David Murray.
Lee reportedly committed about $1 million to Labor, which, according to the source, secured Albanese's attendance at the dinner.
The event took place at the Lee family's mansion, bought for $39.9million in 2015 with sweeping views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Manly.
It comes as senior Labor figures continue to criticise Pauline Hanson over her ties to mining magnate Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person.
The One Nation leader was photographed last week holidaying with Mrs Rinehart at the Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina, Sicily.
Images showed Hanson relaxing poolside as Rinehart swam at the luxury clifftop resort, made famous internationally after featuring in season two of The White Lotus.
The pair also attended Dolce & Gabbana's star-studded Alta Moda event, rubbing shoulders with an exclusive guest list including Jennifer Lopez, Monica Bellucci, The White Lotus actor Theo James and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Hanson was criticised for 'living it up' by Opposition Leader Angus Taylor but, on Tuesday, accused critics of a double standard.
'I wish they'd question Albanese's friendships with [businessman Anthony] Pratt and Twiggy Forrest. He went to Kyle Sandilands' wedding. No one else gets questioned like I do,' she said.
Hanson defended her friendship with Mrs Rinehart and rejected criticism about support she received.
'That's why she backs me,' Hanson said.
'I did get the plane from her - and I declared it. Everything's declared, and I'm very appreciative of it, and I'm not going to apologise for it either.'
She described Mrs Rinehart as a 'very proud, patriotic Australian' and insisted all support had been properly disclosed.
The Lee family has previously drawn scrutiny over its business dealings.
Phillip Lee became prominent during inquiries into Star Entertainment after it was revealed he gambled over $2billion through Sydney’s Star casino over a 15-year period.
His Australian assets were frozen in 2021 over a $272million tax debt.
Federal Court freezing orders once targeted 16 properties linked to Phillip Lee, his wife Xiaobei Shi and their associated companies, including the family’s Point Piper mansion valued at about $40million.
The orders also extended to a Star City Casino account and a collection of luxury vehicles, including a Bentley, a Rolls-Royce Ghost and a Porsche Cayenne.
Felix Lee has previously come under regulatory scrutiny for a $4million investment in a banking venture that surrendered its licence after concerns were raised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
A spokesperson for Mr Albanese told the Daily Mail they do not comment on private dinners.
'Donations are a matter for the Labor Party and will be disclosed in the usual way, as is appropriate,' they said.
Read more
