Dom Perrottet has a final farewell from the big end of town

Former NSW premier Dom Perrottet is enjoying what feels like the longest farewell tour since Elton John’s.

Perrottet is supposedly packing off the family of nine to Washington DC for a government relations job with BHP, but seems to be having trouble getting through a very, very busy social schedule in Sydney, where the “farewell” events for the former Liberal leader are getting too much for your columnists to keep up with.

Former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has a packed social calendar. Credit: James Alcock

Let’s see. There was the party at the Ivy Penthouse that followed Dom’s valediction; the Liberal fundraiser for James Griffin in the Sydney CBD; the Thai Pothong dinner that Opposition Leader Mark Speakman thought was a good idea; the friendly, bipartisan morning tea at the NSW treasury with treasurer Dan Mookhey.

It’s all getting a bit much.

And on Thursday evening Perrottet got one final hurrah from the big end of town. High up in the lair of fund managers Barrenjoey, located in their Bridge Street tower of power, Perrottet was hosted by Sydney business identity David Gonski (you don’t have to walk far in this town before finding an institution with his name on it) and the host firm’s “rock-star banker” boss Matthew Grounds.

That pair were among Perrottet’s closest business confidants when he ran the state’s coffers and, as premier, his push to accelerate Australia’s path out of lockdown endeared himself to the corporate world.

The high-power crowd included former prime minister John Howard and the necromancer behind many of his political successes Sir Lynton Crosby, whose firm CT Group has had a separation from the Liberals of late. Former MP Rob Stokes, who departed in 2023, was still being asked what he’s up to now.

Fellow Liberal types included the new Cook MP Simon Kennedy and Catholic Schools NSW boss Dallas McInerney, a party powerbroker and Perrottet confidant. From the other side of politics, federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was spotted in enemy territory along with her husband, NSW Treasury secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter.

Former Reserve Bank of Australia governors Glenn Stevens and Phil Lowe were probably relieved to be among a group who don’t have to worry much about interest rates. So, too, was Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn. Other guests included University of Sydney chancellor Belinda Hutchinson (who’s just had a building named after her), chef Luke Mangan and Sky News presenter Laura Jayes.

Corporate Australia will clearly miss him.

THE REAL JULIA

Call it the Julia Gillard paradox. As time passes from her days in The Lodge, and the nation’s first female prime minister goes about her post-political life without the self-indulgent histrionics displayed by certain other former leaders, so, too, does Gillard’s stock rise among Australians.

Gillard’s famous misogyny speech, thoroughly dismissed by much of the Canberra press gallery at the time, has become one of those signature moments in Australian political history.

And that speech, still viral, relevant and powerful, forms the core of a one-woman play starring Justine Clarke as PM27 that has wowed political tragics during its runs in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Julia Gillard (right) with Justine Clarke, who plays the former prime minister on stage.Credit:

But as CBD reported in June, Gillard hadn’t even seen the show. A far cry from Paul Keating, who watched Keating! The Musical several times. Still, odds were that Gillard, who spends much time in London, would finally see the show during its Adelaide run.

But performances came and went, and while the likes of Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Trade Minister Don Farrell and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young appeared at Adelaide’s State Theatre, there was no sign of Gillard.

Until closing night, last Saturday, when the former prime minister finally attended. Gillard, who attended the show with some close family and friends, told CBD that “Justine Clarke’s remarkable talent shines in the performance”. Both received standing ovations.

The State Theatre Company South Australia’s artistic director Mitchell Butel and executive director Julian Hobba said having Gillard in the crowd was “a truly special moment”.

“It was a true honour to have the former prime minister attend our closing of Julia. The sold-out season of this theatrical exploration of the incredible and important legacy of Ms Gillard has resonated so strongly with our audiences, as has Justine Clarke’s portrayal.”

The play returns to the Sydney Opera House stage this week. The real Julia, meanwhile, continues to do her thing, without any need to court the limelight.

TICKLED PINK

Spotted: former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce taking in more than an eyeful at the opening night of Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show at the Brisbane festival.

Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show.Credit:

Blushing more than the fuchsia tones in her Husk dress (our fashion scribe has the same one and confirms it looks better on the former GG), Bryce was “treated” to the cabaret review of the French designer’s life, which includes S&M teddy bears, simulated sex acts in the first three minutes and lots (and lots) of flesh. Though, it must be said, Bryce had been warned. The blurb for the show, which comes to the 2032 Olympic host city after seasons in Tokyo, London and Munich, describes it as “eccentric, scandalous, provocative, exuberant and funny as ever”.

Kudos to Dame Quentin, though – despite the S-E-X throughout the first act, she didn’t skive off at interval and was spotted post-show, delivering her verdict to one very interested onlooker.

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