"I'm not here in my role as a public official," she told Fairfax Media shortly after entering the lunch at Doltone House on Elizabeth Street in the CBD on Wednesday. Ms Turnbull: "I thought I was going along as Malcolm's consort." Credit:Heath Aston "I thought I was going along as Malcolm's consort." It is the second time this week that her job has been used to promote a Liberal fundraiser. Asked if she was angry, Ms Turnbull said she "had no idea" it was on the invite.

"I don't want to say how I feel about it but it has just been brought to my attention," she said. Australia's "sixth most powerful businesswoman" Diane Smith-Gander was among those at the $3000-a-head fundraiser. Credit:Wayne Taylor On the way into Wednesday's lunch, Ms Turnbull said she was unaware the state government job with the Greater Sydney Commission was being billed as part of the discussion on "women's workforce participation and advancing gender equality". "Is that how I'm being billed? I wasn't aware of that," she said. A flyer for the "exclusive" Liberal fundraiser spruiking Lucy Turnbull's role.

Senator Cash would not stop to answer questions on her way into the event, which required cheques of $3000 made out to the Liberal Party to get a spot around the table. Among the attendees on Wednesday was Diane Smith-Gander, the former head of detention centre contractor Transfield, who was last year ranked as Australia's sixth most powerful businesswoman. I don't want to say how I feel about it but it has just been brought to my attention. Lucy Turnbull At a $100-a-head fundraiser in Darling Point, hosted on Monday night by Chantelle Fornari-Orsmond, the president of the Liberal Women's Council, the Greater Sydney Commission was specifically referenced again. "Ms Turnbull, following her appointment last year as chair of the Greater Sydney Commission, will share her vision on designing cities to suit women, with a strong focus on safety as well as functionality," the emailed invitation said.

"One of Mrs Turnbull's goals is to make Sydney 'a 30-minute city' where people can use fast transport links between centres and provide more flexible zonings for mixed land use." In its statement of apology to Ms Turnbull, a spokesman for the Liberal Party said it would donate all funds from the event to charity. "Lucy Turnbull AO had been invited to attend Party functions in her role as the spouse of the Prime Minister. "Without Mrs Turnbull's knowledge, the invitations made reference to one of her public roles. "The Liberal Party has apologised to Mrs Turnbull for this mistake.

"Because of this mistake, the proceeds from the functions will be paid today to the St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Sleepout in support of women's refuges." With less 10 days to go in a tightly-fought election, Mr Turnbull will not welcome another tangle over Liberal fundraising after weeks of questions over the Liberal-linked software company Parakeelia. Fairfax Media revealed earlier this month that Parakeelia, which monitors voter behaviour for elected officials, had been directing its taxpayer-derived revenue into donations to the Liberal Party. NSW Labor's planning spokesman, Michael Daley, said the behaviour was "highly inappropriate." "Lucy Turnbull is the paid chair of a NSW government agency," Mr Daley said. "It is not appropriate for government employees or appointees to NSW government agencies to use their official roles to raise money for political parties at any time. Does Mike Baird think this behaviour is appropriate?"

Ms Turnbull's position as Chair of the Commission brings with it powerful, though as yet largely untested, responsibilities. The Commission, which received $62 million in Tuesday's NSW state budget, will draw up district plans across the city over the next year, and can potentially influence zoning and investment decisions. The commission is chaired by Ms Turnbull and made up of six district commissioners and three for economic, environmental and community concerns. It is charged with co-ordinating transport and property development under the Baird government's blueprint for the city. Follow us on Twitter