Adrian Portelli walks back comments about quitting Australia
Adrian Portelli has rejected reports he is abandoning Australia after relocating to Dubai, pointing to his businesses, investments and family ties as an insider predicts his growing political frustration could one day lead to an LMCT+ party.
Adrian Portelli has walked back his own comments about quitting Australia, with insiders saying the billionaire could even return to start his own political party.
Portelli blew up on social media earlier this week with a series of fiery posts calling out Australia’s leadership amid his relocation to Dubai.
“Australia is genuinely finished under its current control and leadership in the form of the government and media. It’s a big brainwashing circus,” Portelli said.
“I’ve been planning this move for three years and lodged my plans with the ATO the entire time.
“My family and I were initially meant to move to Italy, which was going to be the base for my overseas business. However, at the last minute, we changed our plans and chose Dubai.”
But as online scrutiny over his comments grew, Portelli has seemingly backflipped on his position and said the move to Dubai was not permanent despite uprooting his entire family.
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Adrian Portelli joined Dr Chris Brown for the live My Reno Rules grand final after the debut Seven series reached 5.3 million Australians across its season.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Portelli implied he had considered running for high office
“That’s virtually impossible,” Mr Portelli said.
“I cannot leave that country for good because I’ve got so many ties to it.”
Mr Portelli pointed to his family and friends as well as his Australian property, cars, other assets and businesses.
“I employ a lot of people there,” he said.
Mr Portelli also rejected suggestions his criticism of the country meant he had turned against Australia.
“No, I do not hate the country,” he said.
“Growing up, I was always brought up to believe that Australia was the best country in the world and it was.”
Mr Portelli said Australia had the foundations and resources to again become what he regarded as the best country in the world, but needed better management and direction.
In another fiery video, he said he had previously been content to concentrate on running his businesses and paying tax.
Portelli’s Australian interests span property, LMCT+, fuel and supermarkets, while he also bankrolled Seven renovation series My Reno Rules. Pictures: Channel 9
“I was happy. Just f**king staying in my lane, keeping my mouth shut,” he said.
But Mr Portelli said attacks on his business and reputation had changed his approach.
“Well, f**k you. Now I’m coming for you,” he said.
“Now I’m gonna open my mouth.”
Mr Portelli said he would defend himself, his family, his reputation and his businesses.
“Let me invest my money into the country,” he said.
“Let me f**king support the f**king Australian people.”
Mr Portelli has also used increasingly political language on social media, including declaring he was “on a mission to run the show” and wanted to hold Australia’s leaders accountable.
The fight comes after the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 passed federal parliament on August 19.
Billionaire Adrian Portelli has become increasingly outspoken about Australia’s direction, saying criticism of his business and reputation has prompted him to “stand my ground”. Picture: Instagram/adrian_portelli
The legislation, due to take effect from January 1, tightens regulation around emerging online lottery products and trade-promotion gambling models, with subscription-based giveaway businesses such as LMCT+ potentially affected.
The prospect of Mr Portelli entering politics has also been teased publicly alongside businessman Troy Candy.
A recent joint Instagram post used an AI-generated image depicting the pair as political figures outside Parliament House, complete with Australian flags, press lecterns and waiting media.
Candy captioned the post: “Imagine a country where PDFs get capital punishment, there’s only 2 genders & we don’t work 6 months a year for the government.”
Adrian Portelli and businessman Troy Candy fuelled political jokes online after sharing an AI-generated image depicting the pair behind lecterns outside Parliament House. Picture: Instagram/troycandy
Mr Portelli joined in underneath, writing: “I like it and all but why are my eyes like 😳”.
Followers picked up the political implication, with one urging the pair to “get a seat at the table” and another volunteering to become their home affairs minister.
Neither man has announced plans to form a political party despite one of Mr Portelli’s own insiders saying Australians should be prepared for the possibility of a LMCT+ political party.
The insider said Mr Portelli had poured significant money back into Australia and supported businesses, workers and families.
“People around him have had enough of the lies and the constant attempts to paint him as the villain,” the insider said.
“If anything, all of this is making him more determined to speak up.
LMCT+ founder Adrian Portelli says permanently leaving Australia would be “virtually impossible” because of his family, friends, businesses, employees and investments. Picture: Instagram/adrian_portelli
“At this rate Adrian will end up taking the whole bloody system on.
“Don’t be surprised if one day there’s an LMCT+ political party and this motherf**king circus with Angus Taylor and Anthony Albanese gets turned on its head.”
The insider said Australians were increasingly frustrated with the political system and Mr Portelli was unlikely to remain silent while his businesses and reputation were attacked.
The insider also backed claims Mr Portelli hadn’t left Australia for good.
“This is f**king ridiculous,” the insider told News Corp Australia.
“Once again, these flogs are coming after Adrian when he is trying to do the right thing by his family, his business and the country he has invested so much in.
“The suggestion Adrian is somehow turning his back on Australia is complete bulls**t.
“Adrian is Australian, this is his home and he will continue investing in this country.”
Adrian Portelli expanded LMCT+ into fuel this year, opening the business’s first petrol station at Preston as part of a broader Australian retail push. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw
Mr Portelli continues to have major Australian business, property and entertainment interests.
He purchased the two Bulleen homes transformed on Seven renovation series My Reno Rules and joined Dr Chris Brown to front its live grand final.
Seven said the debut season reached 5.3 million Australians across Seven and 7plus.
His Australian expansion has also moved into fuel, with LMCT+ Petrol opening its first service station at Preston this year and further sites planned.
Mr Portelli has also bought the Deer Park IGA business as part of plans to expand LMCT+ into supermarkets.
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