James Packer has hit out at Daniel Andrews. Photo / Channel 7
James Packer has hit out at Daniel Andrews. Photo / Channel 7
Billionaire James Packer has unleashed on former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews in a scathing attack.
Packer criticised Andrews’ management of the state during an interview on former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston’s Rampart Talks podcast, labelling him his “least favourite person”.
Packer, who previously owned Crown Resorts, said thedamage Andrews had done to Victoria’s balance sheet would be “impossible to fix” and called his former golfing buddy “human filth”.
He pointed to the sudden tax Andrews imposed on Crown Melbourne, which came into place weeks before Packer’s sale of Crown Resorts was set to go through.
Crown had agreed to the changes in 2015, which would have seen pokies rates increased. Under a contractual clause, the Government would pay the company compensation.
“With three weeks to go Daniel Andrews changes taxes on Crown and rips $50m out of Crown and gives no compensation,” The Australian reported Packer as saying on the podcast.
“I thought that was appalling behaviour. I’m looking forward to seeing Daniel Andrews in person and speaking far more aggressively than I am.”
Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews. Photo / ABC
“ … I think he’s human filth,” he said. “I hope he sues me.”
Crown was sold for US$8.9 billion ($15.8b) to Blackstone in 2022.
In October it was revealed that Packer was recovering after suffering a serious cardiac episode.
A representative for the businessman confirmed Packer had a heart scare in May and was hospitalised for two weeks at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre.
He is now resting up at his sprawling and private Argentina polo ranch La Ellerstina where he was joined by his ex-wife Erica and their three children, Indigo, 17, Jackson, 15, and Emmanuelle, 13.
Packer plans to remain in Argentina until December.
He is said to be focused on his recovery.
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