Albo under fire for secret chopper trip to billionaire’s BBQ

The PM accused of breaking promise to run a “transparent” government after being flown on billionaire Lindsay Fox’s private helicopter to a five-hour barbecue with Victorian Premier Dan Andrews.

Anthony Albanese has been accused of breaking his promise to run a “transparent” government amid revelations the prime minister was flown on a private helicopter owned by billionaire Lindsay Fox to the business magnate’s seaside mansion for a five hour barbecue last Saturday whose other guests included Victorian Premier Dan Andrews.

According to various reports, Mr Albanese had concluded official business in Victoria and attended the barbecue before flying to Western Australia to meet with flood victims.

“Anthony Albanese has refused to disclose what he discussed, we don’t know what special requests were made of the prime minister,” said deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley, speaking in the Murray River town of Buronga, NSW, on Thursday.

“We do know he willingly accepted a private helicopter flight to a billionaire’s mansion … the prime minister needs to be upfront with the Australian people and explain what was discussed over what appears to be several hours.”

Lindsay Fox's Portsea house, complete with helicopter.

Lindsay Fox shakes hands with Victorian premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Luis Enrique Ascui

When asked about the helicopter trip and subsequent barbecue Wednesday, Mr Albanese said: “I have private meetings all the time. And I have private meetings which are private meetings.”

Ms Ley said Thursday that this was not good enough.

“Anthony Albanese promised to be transparent, he promised to be upfront with Australians and he promised to leave no one behind.”

PM Anthony Albanese and Deputy PM Richard Marles pose for a selfie after giving a press conference in Geelong. Mr Albanese then took a private helicopter trip to a barbecue at Lindsay Fox’s seaside mansion. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Luis Enrique Ascui

“There are legitimate questions that need to be answered and whenever he is asked, he sidesteps and hides.”

Mr Albanese is understood to have taken the helicopter flight to Mr Fox’s mansion perched on the cliffs over Portsea Saturday morning after a meeting and press conference in Geelong, Victoria, with Defence Minister Richard Marles.

After the barbecue, which reportedly lasted at least five hours, Mr Albanese again boarded the Fox helicopter to fly to Avalon Airport, which is also controlled by the Fox family who hope to turn it into an intermodal transport hub.

Daniel Andrews insisted Thursday his secret lunch with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and billionaire businessman Lindsay Fox was nothing more than a social barbecue.

The Premier said the event was a “private social function” but said nothing was discussed about any potential business interests of the Fox family.

“No. I’m not sure if you’re trying to insinuate that there was anything appropriate. That’s simply wrong,” he said.

“It was a social event. It was a barbecue and I’ll boldly predict that it won’t be the only barbecue I go to this summer.”

Mr Andrews declined to go into further detail, but when asked if anything needed to be declared from the event, he responded: “Nope.”

“I deal with many, many people and I deal with everybody appropriately,” he added.