Malcolm Turnbull invited to local pub for ‘discount beer’ if he moves into Kirribilli House

IT was going to be Grange, but a Kirribilli publican thinks a discount beer may be a more appropriate welcome for budget-conscious Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

community reaction in Kirribilli to Turnbull

THE welcome mat has been rolled out at Kirribilli for Malcolm Turnbull, with the new prime minister invited for a beer at the local pub.

While Mr Turnbull may have been labelled a silvertail from the eastern suburbs, residents and retailers from the prestigious suburb are confident they can turn the new Prime Minister into a Kirribilli convert.

The Kirribilli Hotel has already issued a Facebook invitation to Mr Turnbull to call in for a beer if he decides to move into the Prime Minister’s official residence at Kirribilli House.

“We were going to offer him a Grange but thought being budget conscious, he’d want one of our discounted beers,’’ said assistant manager Paul Watkins.

“We saw Tony Abbott riding past on his bike but he never came in for a beer and he’d have to put some clothes on first.”

New Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Watkins said the move to Kirribilli was a good chance for Mr Turnbull to experience “the other side of the harbour’’.

Kirribilli resident Hilary Hatfield said she was thrilled Mr Turnbull would replace Mr Abbott.

“I love the idea of Malcolm Turnbull living in Kirribilli although it might be a bit down-market for him after Point Piper but the coffee here is great,’’ she said.

Hilary Hatfield.

Garfish manager Andrew Bullen.

Andrew Bullen, manager of the up-market Garfish restaurant, said he was relieved a “businessman was finally running the country”.

Bullen said Joe Hockey had once dined at the restaurant while Mr Abbott was turned away on another occasion because he came too early and a young staff member didn’t recognise him.

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“Malcolm Turnbull is very welcome,” said Mr Bullen who is not daunted by any competition from eastern suburbs eateries. “We’re well and truly above them.”

Marina Economidis from the Kirribilli House of Fruit said Mr Turnbull can pop in any time.

“We’ll give him the VIP treatment but we give everyone that,” she said.

VIP treatment: Marina Economidis.

Anne Skarratt has lived in Kirribilli for 40 years and has seen past prime ministers like John Howard and Malcolm Fraser walking around.

She recalled her husband being accused of “slumming it” after he moved from Point Piper to Kirribilli.

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“I don’t think it matters who lives there – I don’t trust either Abbott or Turnbull,” she said.

One resident next door to Kirribilli House said she had one message for Mr Turnbull. “It’s welcome,” she said. “He will be good for the neighbourhood and good for the country.’’

Longtime Kirribilli resident Anne Skarratt.

One resident joked this week that the new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull could row a boat between his harbour-front mansions.

However, a luxury speed boat may be more Turnbull’s style for the 4km trip.

While most prime ministers have been tickled pink to enjoy the charm of Kirribilli House and its unrivalled position on the harbour, Turnbull may find the 300sq m house a bit of a squash compared to his sprawling four-level home on the waterfront at Point Piper.

Kirribilli House.

The Turnbull’s Point Piper mansion.

Most people who get a peek into Kirribilli House are disappointed by its lack of size and grandeur.

It’s more the style of a cosy Bowral retreat and the Turnbulls already have a farm in the Hunter Valley.

If Turnbull and his wife Lucy want a swim, they will have to ask their next-door neighbour, the Governor- General, for a dip in the pool.

Ironically, both the Point Piper home and Kirribilli House are estimated to be each worth more than $50 million, with the Kirribilli property having more land and a fascinating history.

Soon-to-be former tenant Margie Abbott inside Kirribilli House.