Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded a fundraising tour in Western Australia, engaging with prominent business figures and addressing concerns about the growing influence of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. The tour included a $10,000-a-head event hosted by property developer Nigel Satterley at Perth's Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, attracting hundreds from the corporate and political spheres.
Earlier, Fortescue deputy chairman Mark Barnaba hosted a fundraiser at his Mosman Park mansion. The guest list for these events featured a mix of Labor insiders, mining executives, and state political leaders, including WA Premier Roger Cook and former premier Mark McGowan. These events followed similar fundraising engagements in New South Wales and South Australia last month. One such event in Sydney was hosted by the son of Chinese billionaire Felix Lee, whose family has been involved in a significant tax dispute with the Australian Taxation Office.
Albanese's visit to Western Australia coincided with renewed debate over the state's Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue-sharing arrangements. The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment that "there will be no change to WA's GST arrangements whilst I'm Prime Minister." This stance has been welcomed in Western Australia but continues to draw criticism from eastern states.
The Prime Minister's fundraising efforts occurred as WA Labor faces a significant challenge in the upcoming Secret Harbour by-election, where candidate Georgia Tree is contesting a traditionally safe seat against One Nation's Luke Herdegen. Albanese did not publicly campaign with Tree during his visit, fueling speculation about the federal party's confidence in the local contest.
Returning to Sydney, Albanese addressed the Business Council of Australia's annual dinner. The gathering included leaders from major corporations such as Telstra, Wesfarmers, BHP, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. Former Liberal minister Simon Birmingham, now chief executive of the Australian Banking Association, also attended. The Prime Minister used the occasion to defend Labor's tax reforms, including changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts, arguing they were aimed at improving housing affordability and fostering economic equity. He suggested these reforms were crucial to counter populist challenges.
Labor figures are reportedly watching One Nation's outreach to business circles with concern. The party has sought to gain legitimacy in these circles, leveraging ties to mining magnate Gina Rinehart and the defection of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.