Business people have been offered the chance to hear from Prime Minister Tony Abbott over bacon and eggs and sip tea with senior staff – but doing so will cost a cool $11,000 per person.
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The offer comes as the NSW branch of the party has been left reeling by the resignation of Barry O’Farrell as premier after he failed to declare a $3000 bottle of wine given to him by lobbyist Nick di Girolamo.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has heard a slew of allegations levelled at state-based Liberal MPs including former minister Chris Hartcher, prompting new Premier Mike Baird to promise he would throw the book at wrongdoers and flag a move towards public funding of elections in the state.
The offer to ''business observers'' includes a breakfast with the Prime Minister, the chance to mingle with ministers, receive briefings on the state of the Senate and have afternoon tea with chiefs of staff.
A ticket to a policy luncheon – which sells separately for $250 – is also part of the $11,000 package, which falls just short of the $12,000 limit at which donations must be declared to the Australian Electoral Commission.
The offer comes directly from Liberal Party federal director Brian Loughnane and is billed as an exclusive chance to rub shoulders with some of the party's most senior people.
The package is offered as part of the 57th annual Liberal federal council meeting, on June 27.
In an email to potential attendees, Mr Loughnane writes: ''Senior Ministers and party officials will take part in the briefing, which will also include a breakfast on Friday morning addressed by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.''
Labor attracted criticism while in government for running business observer programs.
