Victorian election: Andrew Giles defends ALP tin rattling

Nothing to see here, says Albanese government minister Andrew Giles over his election fundraising efforts for Victorian Labor.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles arrives at a fundraising event in Melbourne on Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles has defended his appearance at multicultural election fundraising events for the Victorian ALP.

The Albanese government minister, the star tin rattler at a handful of party events in the past three months, said he conducted himself in an ethical manner at the fundraisers.

While conceding he had been lobbied over visa policies at events targeting the Indian community, Mr Giles said he never discussed individual cases. ­“People raise issues of immigration policy, as they do with me in the street from time to time, and that dialogue about ideas about how the system should work better I think is important,” he told Sky News.

“But I am very clear, firstly, that I conduct myself in a proper manner as an MP and particularly as minister at all times, including at these events. I am very clear in these events and other matters that I’m not interested in being approached or responding to … individual interventions.”

Mr Giles has been the main drawcard at a handful of Victorian ALP fundraisers since Aug­ust, including several that raised campaign cash for Andrews government Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.

The minister’s high-powered federal support for his state colleague included a $1000-a-head private dinner attended by several Indian Australian migration agents.

Migration agent Harjeet Chahal, who took along Kabaddi promoter and panel beating business owner Lovedeep Khakh to the event at the Farm Vigano, which federal immigration staff did not attend, has revealed the minister was lobbied for changes to nine visa categories during the evening.

“It was very positive response from Honourable Minister,” Mr Chahal posted on Facebook.

Mr Giles also attended a Labor fundraiser at the Gaylord Indian restaurant on October 16 to help Andrews government Multicultural Affairs Minister Ros Spence raise election donations.