Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke cancelled their appearances at a high-priced Labor fundraiser in Sydney on Monday night after independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly attacked outside her electorate office.
Police arrested 43-year-old Brendan Nugent at the Wangaratta scene on Monday afternoon after he allegedly struck 65-year-old Haines twice with his car. The MP was left fighting for her life and reportedly lost a leg in the incident.
Haines was in a critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery in Melbourne overnight. No charges had been filed as counterterrorism authorities continued examining the circumstances of the attack.
Albanese was working from the government’s Bligh Street offices in Sydney ahead of the $2,500-a-head dinner, which was to be hosted by the Prime Minister and senior ministers at the Wentworth Sofitel.
The Labor ministry had been scheduled to meet corporate executives, lobbyists and business leaders at the function, organised by the Labor Business Forum, the ALP’s business networking and fundraising arm.
Businesses pay between $33,000 and $121,000 a year to join the forum, before paying thousands more for exclusive access to senior government figures at private dinners and events. A VIP table for eight guests cost up to $18,000.
The fundraiser was scheduled to begin at 6pm, with MPs expected to arrive between 5pm and 6pm.
Daily Mail understands Albanese and Burke were informed of the incident within half an hour of it occurring.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrives at the Labor fundraiser on Monday night
Julian Hill, left, and Tanya Plibersek ride the escalator into the Wentworth Sofitel
Sports and Communications Minister Anika Wells was among those attending the event
Instead of joining the dinner, both ministers stayed in their offices as more information emerged about Haines’ condition and the events surrounding the alleged attack.
Following briefings from the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, officials decided that neither Albanese nor Burke would attend the fundraiser.
The Joint Counter Terrorism Team was activated soon afterwards. The alleged offender was understood to have been known to authorities previously.
The incident appeared to affect Albanese deeply. He looked visibly shaken during a 7pm press conference and later spoke about the matter in an interview with the ABC.
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Although Albanese and Burke stayed away, several senior ministers proceeded with the fundraiser.
Those attending included Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, Sports and Communications Minister Anika Wells, Skills and Training Minister Tim Ayres, Aged Care Minister Sam Rae and Cabinet Secretary Andrew Charlton.
Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino, Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil, Environment Minister Murray Watt, Resources Minister Madeleine King and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh were also present.
Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh, Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth, Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite and Assistant Minister for Immigration Julian Hill also attended the dinner.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles arrives at the dinner
Environment Minister Murray Watt (pictured) arriving to the Labor Business Network event
Albanese (right) and Burke (left) both looked visibly shaken when speaking to media
Daily Mail understands that many ministers only became aware of the extent of the incident involving Haines after arriving at the venue.
Influential Labor powerbroker and lobbyist Eamonn Fitzpatrick was among those spotted at the event.
Other attendees included a mix of industry lobbyists, business leaders and corporate representatives.
Several ministers were seen leaving the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices and crossing the road to the Wentworth shortly before the function began.
Attendees described the mood inside the room as sombre, with many distressed by the news as it started to become public.
Organisers ultimately cut the evening short, scrapping planned speeches and cancelling a scheduled raffle.
Labor’s fundraiser was planned well in advance, with guests expected to have confirmed their attendance weeks earlier, some as far back as mid-September.
The Federal Labor Business Forum generated at least $7million for Labor in the last financial year, and has been the party’s largest fundraising tool outside of the Trade Union movement.