Political row erupts amid claims acting Premier Susan Close ‘wagged’ parliament for federal budget dinner with PM, Treasurer

A war of words has erupted over claims one of the state’s most senior politicians “wagged” parliament to attend a Canberra dinner with the Prime Minister.

Susan Close said she held meetings with Commonwealth ministers critical to her portfolio, including federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. The pair are pictured at another time in Adelaide. Picture: Keryn Stevens

A war of words has erupted over claims one of the state’s most senior politicians “wagged” from parliament to attend a Canberra dinner with the Prime Minister.

Acting Premier Susan Close, who is filling in for Peter Malinauskas during his US trip, missed parts of parliament on Tuesday, including question time, for her trip to the nation’s capital.

Dr Close, the Deputy Premier who also holds several major Cabinet roles, attended Labor’s official federal budget dinner at Canberra’s Hotel Realm ballroom as a guest.

A political row erupted over her “government business” trip amid Opposition claims she “wagged” parliament, while Dr Close said it was important to boost the state’s “interests”.

Under questioning in parliament on Wednesday, Dr Close said she was an event guest, she didn’t pay to attend and that she held meetings with senior ministers critical to her portfolio, such as the environment, industry, and workforce while she was there.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the dinner, as did Treasurer Jim Chalmers, federal cabinet colleagues and business leaders.

Dr Close with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ben Clark

But the Opposition accused her of “wagging” parliament, despite her request for absence being rejected to attend the $5000-a-head “fundraiser”.

The Liberal Party refused her request for a “pair”, which is a formal request for absence through illness or official business that allows for an Opposition MP to also be absent from any voting of proposed legislation.

A similar row erupted last year after Mr Malinauskas attended the federal midwinter ball.

Opposition frontbencher David Pisoni criticised Dr Close’s trip.

“Susan Close’s act of wagging parliament to attend a $5000-a-head Labor Party fundraiser has intensified the level of arrogance we’ve come to expect from the Malinauskas Labor Government,” he said.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers arrive for Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Dr Close said she didn’t knock back chances to be in the same room with senior federal politicians. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

“(She) is the Deputy Premier, and the acting Premier at the moment, so we expect better than this kind of behaviour and utter lack of respect she’s shown.”

Dr Close told MPs the importance of a relationship with Canberra “should never be underestimated.

“Of course, we all expect governments to make decisions purely on the evidence before them presented by diligent public servants,” she told parliament.

“But the reality is that advocacy is an important part of this.

“Making sure that our needs and our special circumstances are understood by Canberra, I take every opportunity that is afforded to me to be able to be in the same room with federal ministers, with the Prime Minister, with the Treasurer and, of course, with my other ministerial counterparts.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his wife Laura arrive for Chalmers' post-budget address at the National Press Club in Canberra. Picture: Getty Images

“I was invited to a dinner that was hosted by the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and his front bench, and I took the opportunity — as I hope every minister in this government would — where, if you are able to be in the room with those people to put the case for South Australia, you do it.

In a statement outside parliament, she said her “pair request, provided as a courtesy, was denied by the Opposition”.

She added: “I was not going to forego the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister, his ministers and industry leaders to advance South Australia’s interests.”

Originally published as Political row erupts amid claims acting Premier Susan Close ‘wagged’ parliament for federal budget dinner with PM, Treasurer