Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined a private dinner hosted by Felix Lee, the son of Chinese billionaire property developer Phillip Dong Fang Lee, amid reports the family has pledged roughly $1 million to the Labor Party.
Albanese was seen arriving on Monday night at Mandalay, the Lee family’s landmark waterfront estate in Sydney’s Point Piper, which commands sweeping views across Sydney Harbour.
The Prime Minister was among just eight guests at the invitation-only gathering hosted by 25-year-old Felix Lee, sources told the Australian Financial Review’s Rear Window column.
The guest list reportedly included several high-profile figures from business and politics, among them Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn, former Victorian premier Dan Andrews, former ASIC chairman James Shipton and former Future Fund chairman David Murray.
According to the report, Lee pledged about $1 million to Labor, with a source claiming the commitment helped secure Albanese’s presence at the Point Piper dinner.
The gathering was held at the Lee family’s mansion, purchased in 2015 for $39.9 million, a prestige harbourfront property overlooking the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Manly.
The revelations come as senior Labor figures continue to attack Pauline Hanson over her relationship with mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, who is Australia’s richest person.
The One Nation leader was photographed last week on holiday with Mrs Rinehart at the Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina, Sicily.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended an exclusive dinner at a mansion, hosted by Felix Lee who is the son of billionaire Phillip Dong Fang Lee
Albanese arrived at the Lee family mansion ‘Mandalay’ in Point Piper on Monday (pictured)
The dinner was hosted by 25-year-old Felix Lee (pictured)
Images showed Hanson relaxing poolside as Rinehart swam at the luxury clifftop resort, made famous internationally after featuring in season two of The White Lotus.
The pair also attended Dolce & Gabbana’s star-studded Alta Moda event, rubbing shoulders with an exclusive guest list including Jennifer Lopez, Monica Bellucci, The White Lotus actor Theo James and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Hanson was criticised for ‘living it up’ by Opposition Leader Angus Taylor but, on Tuesday, accused critics of a double standard.
‘I wish they’d question Albanese’s friendships with [businessman Anthony] Pratt and Twiggy Forrest. He went to Kyle Sandilands’ wedding. No one else gets questioned like I do,’ she said.
Hanson defended her friendship with Mrs Rinehart and rejected criticism about support she received.
‘That’s why she backs me,’ Hanson said.
‘I did get the plane from her – and I declared it. Everything’s declared, and I’m very appreciative of it, and I’m not going to apologise for it either.’
She described Mrs Rinehart as a ‘very proud, patriotic Australian’ and insisted all support had been properly disclosed.
The meeting followed criticism from senior Labor figures of Hanson’s ties to Gina Rinehart. Hanson said Albanese’s relationships should also be scrutinised
The Lee family bought the mansion for $39.9 million in 2015. It has sweeping views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Manly
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The Lee family has previously drawn scrutiny over its business dealings.
Phillip Lee became prominent during inquiries into Star Entertainment after it was revealed he gambled over $2billion through Sydney’s Star casino over a 15-year period.
His Australian assets were frozen in 2021 over a $272million tax debt.
Federal Court freezing orders once targeted 16 properties linked to Phillip Lee, his wife Xiaobei Shi and their associated companies, including the family’s Point Piper mansion valued at about $40million.
The orders also extended to a Star City Casino account and a collection of luxury vehicles, including a Bentley, a Rolls-Royce Ghost and a Porsche Cayenne.
Felix Lee has previously come under regulatory scrutiny for a $4million investment in a banking venture that surrendered its licence after concerns were raised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
A spokesperson for Mr Albanese told the Daily Mail they do not comment on private dinners.
‘Donations are a matter for the Labor Party and will be disclosed in the usual way, as is appropriate,’ they said.
