Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have been cancelling fundraising events with donors, after cyclone backlash towards the Opposition Leader.
Peter Dutton chose to attend a Sydney billionaire’s fundraiser as Alfred was approaching the east coast.
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It’s been revealed Dutton chose to fly from his home in south east Queensland on Tuesday to Justin Hemmes’ harbour-side mansion. Yesterday he was forced to defend the decision.
“It wasn’t a party, it was a fundraising dinner and the prime minister and I are doing them around the country at the moment,” Dutton told Sky News.
“I think people who are using that for political advantage in the time of the natural disaster, frankly, that’s a poor reflection on them than it is on me. And I think people recognize that,” he said.
Since then, the Liberal leader has pulled out of evening event scheduled for tonight in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also cancelled his appearance at an “exclusive” dinner with 10 crucial donors in Sydney this Wednesday.
Albanese has made a point of not criticising Dutton following the fundraiser backlash, saying “this is not a time for looking at politics.”
“I’ve been getting on with doing this job… giving support to people in a totally non-political way, and I think it’s disappointing if there’s any suggestion otherwise,” he said.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has become one of the east coast’s biggest rain events in decades.
Brisbane recorded its wettest day in more than 50 years over Sunday and into Monday, with more than 275ml.
The weather Bureau warned conditions are still unpredictable and flooding is still persisting in parts of Queensland, including the Brisbane River and in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
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