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February 26, 2024
Anthony Albanese says the celebration of Australia's food and beverage industry, at which pop sensation Katy Perry performed, was a key opportunity to talk with Australian manufacturers.
The annual dinner, held this year at recycling king Anthony Pratt's Kew mansion, attracted attention amid revelations the US star may get a $1.5m cheque for Saturday's private show.
But the Prime Minister, who was the event's main speaker, said he had talks with major manufacturers including Wesfarmers, Bundaberg, Asahi Beverages and Arnott's biscuits.
"The good news that I got . from many of the businesses was that they're expanding their operations," Mr Albanese said. "That means more jobs here and it means our economy is more resilient here as well.
One of the things I want is a future made here in Australia and all those fantastic Australian companies . make products here for domestic purposes but also export to the world." But Victorians on the fireground say the privately-funded $1.5m payday for the US pop star would have been better spent helping farmers.
Bushfire victim Damian Ferrari, 58, who lost 20 head of sheep and thousands of dollars worth of farming equipment as the bushfire tore through his town of Raglan, said the money spent to lure Katy Perry to Melbourne would have gone a long way for the farmers.
"It would do a fair bit of fencing, a fair bit of stockfeed," he said.
"Everyone is doing it tough, the farmers in the bush are doing it tough. (But) I hope it was a good party they went to." Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson said Mr Albanese needed to get his priorities straight.
"He's become dangerously out of touch as Prime Minister, happiest on the VIP jets and in corporate boxes rather than dealing with his government's cost-of-living crisis or the Victorian bushfires," Senator Paterson said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who also attended the dinner along with predecessor Daniel Andrews, briefed Mr Albanese on the devastating bushfires on Saturday.
Mr Albanese said the federal government would provide Victoria with whatever support it requested, adding Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt had been at the control centre on Friday.
He said recent floods, bushfires and heatwaves were a reminder for Australians to be vigilant and act on the threat that was climate change.
"These are difficult times and I say to people, listen to the advice of the authorities," Mr Albanese said. "I just pay tribute to all those who are providing assistance to their fellow Australians at this difficult time. You are all heroes. You do us proud as a nation."
