Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley has urged Anthony Albanese to confirm whether Labor will definitely hand down a budget, after-party members were issued invites to a $1200-a-head post-budget dinner.
On Thursday, members of the Federal Labor Business Forum were sent “last chance” reminders to register for the post-budget “Standing Networking Dinner Reception” on March 25, despite there being doubt on whether the Prime Minister will call an election before the date, rendering the budget void.
The dinner will feature a live broadcast of Jim Chalmers handing down the budget at 7.30pm, with Mr Albanese set to deliver an in-person speech.
Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley accused Labor of ‘spending more time planning their budget fundraisers than actually the budget itself’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Appearing on ABC radio, Ms Ley called on the government to provide more clarity.
“Is the Prime Minister and the Labor Party raising money off the back of a Budget that they’re actually refusing to commit to?” she asked.
“(They’re) not having serious economic meetings and (are) spending more time planning their budget fundraisers.
“I think that’s quite extraordinary, and I think that’s worthy of further investigation.”
Labor party members were invited to register for the $1200 event, however the March 25 budget could be skipped if Anthony Albanese calls the election before then. Picture: Supplied
However, Mr Albanese said it was standard practice, and a matter for the Labor Party’s national secretary Paul Erickson.
“The Liberal Party, her own party, have sent out invitations as well. It’s normal that budget night, there’ll be events that will occur,” he told reporters on Friday.
“My government is razor focused on dealing with this challenge (Cyclone Alfred),” he said.
“My job is to represent Australians. That is precisely what I’m doing and what the full force of the public service is doing as well.”
Anthony Albanese will remain in Canberra ahead of Cyclone Alfred’s forecasted landfall on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, cancelling previous plans to visit Western Australia for its state election. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman
He also declined to comment on Peter Dutton’s decision to leave Brisbane on Tuesday to attend a fundraising event in Sydney hosted by pub baron Justin Hemmes, despite his electorate battening down and preparing for the imminent deluge.
“That is a matter for him,” Mr Albanese said.
“I did see his comments about my responsibilities, but that’s a matter for him. He can comment on his own responsibilities. I am fulfilling mine.”
Ms Ley also defended the Opposition Leader, and said he had since returned to his outer Brisbane electorate of Dickson, which is forecast to be in the cyclone’s firing line.
“Peter Dutton is in his community, with his community of Brisbane, of Queensland, and as I just said, no one can doubt his commitment to them, and he will be with them throughout,” she said.
While political commentators have long eyed April 12 as the most likely election date, the incoming battering from TC Alfred has bulldozed chances of an election being called this week.
However, Mr Albanese has not ruled out calling an election on Tuesday – the last potential day to satisfy the 33 days of campaigning required before polling day.
About 70,000 homes in NSW and Queensland have lost power as a result of Cyclone Alfred. Picture: NewsWire/ Tertius Pickard
Mr Albanese will remain in Canberra this weekend, where he will monitor the landfall of TC Alfred, forecasted for early Saturday.
Residents in Queensland’s southeast and NSW’s northern rivers have been on high alert, with initial gale-force winds of up to 155km/h and huge waves already cutting power to about 70,000 homes.
On Friday, Mr Albanese confirmed his government has approved a request to “immediately” deploy 120 ADF personnel to NSW to assist with welfare checks and pre-storm preparations.
“They’ll start work today, supporting the local SES door knocking, as well as conducting welfare checks on vulnerable members of the community,” he said.
“They will support the SES with road clearance, sandbagging, clearing access to critical infrastructure damage assessments and essential services.”
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