‘Awkward Albo’ | PM dodges questions about Chinese donor

Well, the Prime Minister appears to be squirming.Anthony Albanese has attempted to downplay a private dinner with the son of a Chinese billionaire.He attended the gathering with Felix Lee this time last week.He's the son of Philip Lee, who's previously been accused of money laundering.Mr Albanese has been asked by David Spears on the ABC about his presence at the dinner.But he avoids the question again and again.

Eventually, he's forced to answer.

Firstly, did you attend a dinner at the home of Felix Lee in Point Piper?

I attend lots of functions.What about this one?I attend lots of functions in lots of places, including last night right here.What about this dinner in Point Piper?I attend lots of functions in lots of places.Why do you want to answer that?

Well, I do.You've just said that that occurred.You know, that's fine.

How many opportunities did he need before he gave a straight answer?four times and then he finally coughed it up.The PM's also been pressed about whether he should have attended the fundraising event and he appears to be saying look I know nothing.Yes, there are allegations of money laundering.Sure, billions of dollars may have been pumped through the casino and maybe millions of dollars are owed to the Australian Tax Office, but the PM's best answer is, I know nothing.

I don't talk about private dinners.I've held a number this week here in Adelaide as well.

Lots of fundraising.This one, the concern is that his father is accused by the tax office of deceiving authorities about funneling huge sums of money from China to Australia.Is that a concern for you?

Well, I'm not aware of those issues.Should he have been aware?He wasn't there.

Now, the father was not at the dinner.It was hosted by his son, Felix.The $40 million mansion where the dinner was held is now the subject of a security claim by the tax office.The ATO froze the family's web of companies and assets in 2021.Tax authorities say Felix's mum and dad owe the ATO $2 million.million.

As part of the freeze, the ATO locked Philip Lee out of his gambling account.He put $2 .2 billion through the Star Casino over three years and his Chinese debit card swiped $39 million into the casino over six months.But the PM when asked, did you go to dinner at the home of Felix Lee?Well he didn't answer the first time, didn't answer the second time, and didn't answer the third time.It sounds like the Prime Minister wants this story to go away.