A fundraising event at the Melbourne headquarters of Macquarie Bank featuring Peter Dutton and several Liberal MPs was cancelled at the last minute on Wednesday night without explanation, as a major storm bore down on the opposition leader’s home state.
On Wednesday, the Australian Financial Review published a story claiming Dutton left what he described as a “very serious” cyclone situation in Queensland for a fundraising soiree at the harbourside home of hospitality entrepreneur Justin Hemmes in Sydney on Tuesday night.
Dutton was scheduled to provide a keynote address to the Melbourne event shortly after 5pm on Wednesday.
The reason for cancelling the event, and who made the decision, was not made clear, although sources speculated it may have been due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Dutton’s office and Macquarie Bank were contacted for comment.
A second fundraising event featuring Dutton – a lunch in Melbourne on Thursday hosted by the Pharmacy Guild – was also cancelled.
Dutton had addressed media on Tuesday about the serious threat posed by Cyclone Alfred in Brisbane. His electorate of Dickson, north of the city, is expected to feel the brunt of gale-force winds in coming days.
During an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, filmed on his farm on the outskirts of Brisbane, Dutton said calling the federal election on Sunday would be a mistake given the possible impact of the cyclone.
“I think it’s really the occasion for the prime minister to be governing, not campaigning,” Dutton said. “He’s got until the 17th of May, there’s no reason to bring it on early, but we’ll see what he does.”
On Thursday morning, Dutton spoke to 2GB host Ben Fordham and was introduced as being on his farm “about 30km north-west of the Brisbane CBD”.
“We’ve been making sure that everything’s put away, everything’s nailed down, and I guess, you deal with it as best you can,” Dutton said.
The Melbourne event, the level 36 of a tower on Collins Street, was to be hosted by Charlie Taylor, the treasurer of the Liberal party of Australia, and Nicole Andrews, the executive director of the Australian Business Network.
Invites seen by Guardian Australia show Liberal MPs Zoe McKenzie, Aaron Violi and Keith Wolahan were also expected to attend the 5pm to 7pm event.
Ellie Smith, an independent candidate for the seat of Dickson, said she was “disappointed” by media reports that Dutton had left Queensland to be in Sydney for an event on Tuesday night.
“The people of Dickson have been told they are facing one of the most extreme and devastating natural disasters to hit the region in a generation,” Smith said.
“Schools have closed, businesses have shut and people are doing everything they can to prepare for the worst and protect their families, loved ones and neighbours.”
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, was asked on 4BC about reports Dutton had attended the event with Hemmes. He said: “Look, that would be disappointing if it’s true. That’s for Peter Dutton to explain.”
As Labor frontbenchers criticised Dutton, the Labor’s party’s professional fundraising vehicle sought to drum up cash by encouraging paid members to secure a seat at its “federal budget standing networking dinner reception”.
An email sent to members of the federal Labor Business Forum on Thursday flagged a “last chance” to secure access to “an in-person address by the prime minister” at an undisclosed location in Canberra. Tickets cost up to $1,500.
The deputy Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, criticised the timing of the invitation, noting ongoing speculation about whether a budget would be handed down before an election was called.
“If Anthony Albanese is confident enough to lock in budget fundraisers he should be confident enough to confirm there will be a budget,” Ley said on Thursday.
The Coalition has organised its own budget night fundraisers.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, was also in Sydney on Tuesday, announcing a new education funding package at a morning press conference alongside the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns.
With an expensive election campaign looming, business leaders across Australia have been deluged with invitations to similar events. Invitations seen by Guardian Australia show the prime minister, senior cabinet ministers, the opposition leader and other Coalition figures have all rubbed shoulders with well-financed figures in recent weeks.
Dutton was also advertised as the special guest at a “leader’s private dinner” in Sydney last month. The two-and-a-half hour event was sponsored by the Insurance Council of Australia.
To attend intimate events with senior Liberal politicians, including the opposition leader, members of the Australian Business Network must pay annual fees worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Read more of Guardian Australia’s Tropical Cyclone Alfred coverage:
