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Anthony Albanese’s $100,000 dinner with super donors at Sydney’s Aria restaurant as Aussies struggle to get by

Aaron PatrickThe Nightly
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VideoAnthony Albanese arrives for dinner where guests paid $10,000 each for his company.

Two weeks ago Liberal leader Peter Dutton was criticised for attending a fundraising dinner at the home of Sydney hospitality billionaire Justin Hemmes.

What few people knew was that Labor leader Anthony Albanese had planned a similar event in Sydney the day after.

As Cyclone Alfred bore down on south-east Queensland, the Prime Minister’s staff decided to delay that dinner to Sunday evening, March 16.

The event was limited to around ten guests to convince each that $10,000 was worth the prime ministerial dinner at Aria, which overlooks the Sydney Opera House.

A table at the exclusive and expensive Aria restaurant in Sydney.
Camera IconA table at the exclusive and expensive Aria restaurant in Sydney. Credit: Unknown/Instagram

At a time when many Australians are cutting back on groceries, Aria charges $240 for five-course meals and sells $10,000 bottles of Krug champagne.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at ARIA restaurant in Circular Quay, Sydney. 16 March 2025
Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at ARIA restaurant in Circular Quay, Sydney. 16 March 2025 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Wearing jeans and a blazer jacket on a hot afternoon, Mr Albanese would not speak to The Nightly as he entered the Circular Quay venue except to say: “Hey, how are you doing?”

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at ARIA restaurant in Circular Quay, Sydney. 16 March 2025.
Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at ARIA restaurant in Circular Quay, Sydney. 16 March 2025. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mr Dutton was heavily criticised for leaving Queensland on Tuesday, March 4, to attend Mr Hemmes’ dinner. He was “filling Liberal Party money bags while his own community was filling sandbags,” Employment Minister Murray Watt said.

But Mr Albanese has acknowledged he attended a fundraising event in Sydney the same day, and then flew to Queensland for a briefing with Premier David Crisafulli.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at ARIA restaurant in Circular Quay, Sydney. 16 March 2025
Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at ARIA restaurant in Circular Quay, Sydney. 16 March 2025 Credit: Supplied /Supplied
Guests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese.
Camera IconGuests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese. Credit: Supplied/The Nightly

Mr Dutton flew back to Queensland the next day and was at his family farm north of Brisbane in Dayboro when it was surrounded by floodwaters caused by the cyclone.

“I think people who are using that for political advantage in the time of a natural disaster, frankly, that’s a poorer reflection on them,” he said.

Guests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese Credit: Aaron Patrick Picture: Aaron Patrick
Camera IconGuests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese Credit: Aaron Patrick Aaron Patrick Credit: Supplied/The Nightly
Guests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese
Camera IconGuests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese Credit: Supplied/The Nightly

Political surveys have repeatedly shown inflation is voters’ top concern for the election, which is likely to be held in May.

Guests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese.
Camera IconGuests arrive at Aria restaurant in Sydney for a private fundraiser dinner with Anthony Albanese. Credit: Supplied/The Nightly

In January, 57 per cent of Australians said they had spent less on groceries and essential items over the previous year, according to a survey by the Australian National University.

A junior minister, Patrick Gorman, was asked if it would be difficult for the prime minister to justify an expensive fundraising dinner during a cost-of-living crisis, and if the government’s criticism of Mr Dutton was fair.

“Peter Dutton is the new Mr Harbourside Mansion when it comes to how he conducts himself,” Mr Gorman said on Sky, adding that he went to a bowling club in Perth with the prime minister for dinner on Friday.

Appearing on the same show, Former Liberal MP Jason Falinski said Mr Watt should apologise to Mr Dutton. “I feel sorry for the people who had to have dinner with him much less the fact they had to spend $10,000.”

Virgin Australia refused to confirm if Jayne Hrdlicka, who had her last day as chief executive on Friday, attended the dinner.

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