Arabic version: استجواب ألبانيزي بشأن عشاء في بوينت بايبر

According to ABC News, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced questions over his attendance at a dinner at a Point Piper mansion in Sydney hosted by Felix Lee, whose father faces allegations of deceiving the Australian Tax Office about his holdings.

Nine newspapers reported earlier in the week that Mr Albanese attended the dinner at the home of 25-year-old Felix Lee. Lee’s father, Phillip Dong Fang Lee, is accused of funnelling money from China into Australian bank accounts. Mr Albanese told ABC’s Insiders that he attends “a lot of dinners” and said he does not discuss private dinners.

When pressed on the event, the prime minister said he was unaware of concerns surrounding Mr Lee senior. He said donations were declared in accordance with the rules and described attendance at events as part of engaging with people. The ATO pursued Mr Lee and his wife, Ziaobei Shi, for $273 million in unpaid taxes in 2021, freezing their assets before a reported settlement the following year.

Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn and former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews were reportedly among other attendees. It remains unclear how much was pledged as a Labor donation for each guest. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a source close to the event said it was $10,000 a head.

Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson said the prime minister’s dining companions were a legitimate matter of public interest and called for answers. Independent MP David Pocock said “cash for access to our government has to stop”. Emergency Management Minister Kirsty McBain said politicians from all parties frequently attend fundraisers and do not take directions from people they eat with.