Lloyd Williams ‘offers Packer support’ for Victorian Labor’s Andrews

CROWN casino founder Lloyd Williams has offered the support of the Packer family to Victorian Labor leader Daniel Andrews.

CROWN casino founder Lloyd Williams has been recorded offering the support of the Packer family to help elect Victorian Labor leader Daniel Andrews.

Mr Williams and Mr Andrews were recorded off camera today discussing the Packer family’s support for the Labor campaign, potentially via Kerry Packer’s estate.

“I’m very pleased that, you should probably know I am the executive of the Packer estate, and James is going to kick every goal he can for you’’. (with his hand on Andrews’ back)

A Labor source confirmed the conversation had taken place.

Channel 10 Victorian political reporter David Woiwod tweeted Mr Williams saying: “I am on the executive of the Packer estate and James is going to kick every goal he can for you.’’

Lloyd Williams told @DanielAndrewsMP "I am on the executive of the Packer estate, and James is going to kick every goal he can for you"

— David Woiwod (@DavidWoiwod10) November 3, 2014

The tweet was based on the audio recording of the off-camera conversation.

The network was conducting a pool shoot of the election campaign photo opportunity at Macedon, outside Melbourne, where Mr Williams’ thoroughbred Hudson Conway Racing is based.

The recording is expected to run with subtitles on tonight’s TV bulletins.

Mr Andrews responded to the controversy at a doorstop, denying any impropriety.

The conversation has the potential to be seriously embarrassing for Labor given its years-long pursuit of Mr Williams and the Packer family over Crown casino.

Labor made a wave of allegations against Mr Williams and businessman Ron Walker during the construction of the casino.

However, Labor has attempted in recent years to patch up relations with the Packer family and the casino.

Labor leader Daniel Andrews described James Packer as a friend but denied the ALP had given the family preferential treatment on legislation.

A spokeswoman for Mr Williams said he would not be commenting.

Mr Packer is overseas and not expected to respond.