Billionaire businessman James Packer has launched a fierce criticism of former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, accusing him of nearly ruining his life and the state of Victoria. Packer, who divested his stake in Crown Resorts in 2022, expressed his disdain in an interview with Rampart, characterizing Andrews as “human filth” and claiming that recent tax changes severely impacted his business.
The tension between the two stems from a significant last-minute tax adjustment by Andrews that occurred just three weeks before the sale of Crown Resorts to Blackstone. Packer revealed that this unexpected change resulted in a loss of $50 million for Crown, raising concerns about whether the deal would proceed without complications. “It’s a miracle that Blackstone didn’t activate the material adverse change clause. I thought that was appalling behaviour,” he stated. The deal ultimately went through, with Blackstone purchasing the group for $8.9 billion.
From Friends to Foes
Packer’s relationship with Andrews appears to have deteriorated significantly since their earlier camaraderie. The two had previously enjoyed rounds of golf together, with Packer once praising Andrews as “great for Victoria.” However, his recent comments suggest a complete reversal of sentiment. “I couldn’t speak more lowly of Daniel Andrews,” he remarked, indicating that their friendship is now irreparably damaged.
Packer’s remarks come in the wake of Andrews’ resignation as Premier in September 2023, when he handed over leadership to Jacinta Allan. Since then, Allan has faced challenges in maintaining the public support that Andrews cultivated during his nearly nine years in office.
Future Interactions Unlikely
The public feud between Packer and Andrews seems unlikely to mend soon. Packer expressed his eagerness to confront Andrews directly, stating, “I’m looking forward to seeing Daniel Andrews in person and speaking far more aggressively than I am.”
Currently, Packer is recuperating at his estate in Argentina after experiencing a cardiac arrest in October 2023. The billionaire’s harsh words add another layer to the complex political and business dynamics in Victoria, reflecting the far-reaching impacts of leadership decisions on personal and corporate relationships.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these comments will affect both men and the public perception of their legacies in Victoria.
