Peter Dutton, the opposition leader and member for Dickson, engaged in discussions regarding Cyclone Alfred while attending a fundraiser at a lavish Sydney mansion owned by billionaire Justin Hemmes in the midst of the cyclone’s approach. He participated in an interview from Queensland after attending a briefing about the cyclone, which raised eyebrows when it was revealed he had left his electorate for the Sydney event shortly before.
Dutton defended his decision to attend the fundraiser, stating he had prior commitments including meetings and a lunch in Sydney, as well as the fundraising event that evening. He claimed he followed his schedule, catching the first flight back to Brisbane the next morning. Dutton also took the opportunity to admonish Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had suggested he might call a federal election shortly during the disaster recovery. Dutton remarked that people expect their Prime Minister to govern rather than campaign during a crisis.
Despite facing criticism from the government, including comments from Labor figures like Senator Murray Watt, Dutton contended that the government was attempting to manipulate the situation for political gain. He referred to their criticism as “poor form,” asserting that it reflected more negatively on them than on him.
While Albanese refrained from directly attacking Dutton, opting instead to focus on his responsibilities, Chalmers labelled Dutton’s departure to Sydney as potentially disappointing. Both stated that it was ultimately Dutton’s matter to explain. Dutton’s actions and responses highlight the complex dynamics of political accountability during times of crisis, drawing attention to the ongoing debate about leadership priorities in the face of natural disasters.