Barack, Michelle Obama out and about in Sydney after dinner at Circular Quay
The former US President and his wife have been out and about in Sydney today as he prepares to speak about global leadership challenges at an event tonight where tickets go for up to $895.
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A PAIR of tourists still in their bathrobes and carrying a copy of The Daily Telegraph’s report of Barack Obama’s visit to Sydney joined the throng of camera crews and journalists hoping to catch a glimpse of the former president on the second day of his whirlwind trip to Australia.
Were it not for the heavy security presence, Mr Obama could have been mistaken for a Sydneysider as he waved to the crowd wearing the city’s unofficial CBD uniform of suit and no tie, while carrying a takeaway coffee with an iPad tucked under his arm.
After meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House on Monday morning, Mr Obama and his wife Michelle saw the best Sydney has to offer – including lunch at Bather’s Pavilion in Balmoral, a tour of the Opera House, and a late supper at Grana on Circular Quay.
But on Tuesday it was all business.
Mr Obama was due to speak before a crowd of as many as 9000 people who paid between $195 and $895 for the privilege of seeing the ex-president talk about global leadership challenges in conversation with former foreign minister Julie Bishop before jetting off to Melbourne on Wednesday.
“In times of great challenge and change, president Obama’s leadership ushered in a stronger economy, a more equal society, a nation more secure at home and more respected around the world,” the event description reads.
“In a moderated discussion with The Honourable Julie Bishop, attendees will hear president Obama discuss strength in leadership and explore techniques for navigating an unpredictable future.”
While Mr Obama visited Australia a number of times as president, this is believed to be only his second trip to Sydney.
In 2011, the then-president visited Canberra and Darwin, while in 2014 he made a flying visit to Canberra, making him thefirst American commander in chief to visit Australia without ever touching down in the Harbour City.
In 2018, Mr Obama took a detour from a trip to New Zealand to pop into the Art Gallery of NSW to give a private speech to an audience that one media report at the time described simply as “businesspeople”.
Despite being in good spirits on Tuesday morning, Mr Obama also took to Twitter to condemn gun violence in the US followingthe fatal school shooting in Nashville.
A shooter, believed to be a former student at Covenant School, killed three students and three adults before being shot andkilled by police.
“We are failing our children,” Mr Obama tweeted.
“Guns are now the leading cause of death for children in the US.
“Michelle and I mourn with the students and families of the Covenant School today.”
WHAT’S BROUGHT THE OBAMAS TO TOWN
Barack Obama is potentially in line for a $1 million payday as he kicks off a whirlwind tour of Australia that has already included an off-the-record audience with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House.
Mr Obama has been sighted being whisked around town in what one witness called a “20 vehicle motorcade” complete with “helicopter hovering overhead” during his first visit to Australia since 2018.
It is understood that Mr Obama is being protected by the AFP as well as NSW Police at taxpayer expense, in conjunction with his American Secret Service detail.
While here, he will deliver two speeches in conversation with former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to sold out audiences paying as much as $495 for the privilege.
On Tuesday night he will speak in Sydney to what organisers described as a “sold out” 9,000 seat auditorium at the International Convention Centre, with punters paying a minimum $195 to see the former leader in person.
Extra keen Obama fans have also been offered a “platinum” package by organisers which includes priority seating, a one-hour drinks function “with welcome cocktail”, and a commemorative lanyard and signed copy of Obama’s book, A Promised Land – though tour managers stressed that the former president himself would not be mingling at the event.
Obama fans can also dial in to the speech, though organisers would not disclose the number of virtual tickets sold.
On Wednesday Mr Obama will jet to Melbourne for an event at the 10,500 capacity John Cain Arena, where a few tickets were still available as of Monday evening according to Ticketek.
Before fees and expenses are taken into account that leaves organisers with a minimum take of upwards of $1.8 million for Obama’s Sydney speech alone – more than enough to cover speaking fees that are expected to exceed $500,000 per talk.
Since leaving the White House at the start of 2017, Mr Obama has been a sought after lecturer, something that has helped him and his wife grow their net worth to somewhere between $70 million and $135 million, depending on the analysis.
Within months of retiring from politics Mr Obama was earning US$400,000 per speech, or more than $600,000.
Mr Obama is accompanied by his wife, Michelle, marking the first time the pair had been seen together for five months.
While Mrs Obama is spoken about in some circles as a potential future presidential candidate speculation has swirled around the state of their marriage since she admitted last December that she “couldn’t stand” her husband for at least a decade.
On Monday morning, thGrnae prime minister’s press team released photos of the pair posing with umbrellas on the lawn of Kirribilli House but refused to be drawn on what the pair might have discussed, saying it was a “private” meeting.
OBAMA SPOTTED ON THE HARBOUR AFTER JETTING INTO SYDNEY
It comes after the former US president and his wife Michelle landed Down Under in style, chartering a private jet.
Mr Obama was photographed with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour on Monday.
Despite the dreary morning, the pair were seen smiling and posing for photos.
He was later seen with US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy outside a Sydney hotel.
The Obamas’ Australian trip kicked off with Barack to join forces with former foreign minister Julia Bishop to speak at the ‘An Evening with President Obama’ event on Tuesday.
The live talk will cover a variety of topics including the former US president’s “path to success” as well as discussions with Ms Bishop about the global challenges faced at a series of leadership events.
The event which is presented by organiser ‘Growth Facilities’ who have previously hosted similar events for the likes of Hillary Clinton, Malcolm Gladwell, and George Clooney in Australia will now accommodate the 44th US president.
Mr Obama will take centre stage on Tuesday in Sydney at the Aware Super Theatre, with the cheapest tickets priced at $395 and in Melbourne on March 29 with tickets ranging from $194-$495.
Mr Obama last visited Australia in 2018. Prior to that, his last official visit was nearly a decade ago in November 2014, for the G20 leaders’ summit in Brisbane, were he addressed a joint sitting of federal parliament in Canberra.
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