Leigh Sales debunks election night outfit ‘conspiracy theories’

Leigh Sales has revealed the truth behind one decision she made on election night, after social media users speculated she was trying to send a hidden message.

Leigh Sales has responded to multiple social media “conspiracy theories” that she was trying to send a hidden message about her voting preferences with her outfit on election night.

The 48-year-old wore a white suit to co-host the ABC’s coverage on Saturday night, accessorising with an aquamarine ring and matching teal earrings, prompting Twitter users to ask what the “story” was with her outfit, speculating it was a secret show of support for Teal independents.

Taking to Instagram this morning, though, Sales wrote that she was “sorry to debunk the wild theories”.

“I’ve seen a few conspiracy theories flying around about my election night wardrobe being chosen to send hidden messages,” she said.

“So let me debunk the myths – @christophersall and I choose a white suit every election for the reason that it still looks fresh six hours on and when I’m exhausted it bounces a bit of extra light into my face to help mask it. I’ve worn white the past three election nights in a row.

“The aquamarine ring belongs to one of my dearest friends, legendary AFR journalist Pamela Williams, who had it made years ago by @janlogan_. I have envied it forever and Pam lent it to me for the night because she knows how much I love it and for luck!

“The earrings were chosen to match the ring, not to send a message of ‘Teal’ support.
“So I’m sorry to debunk the wild theories, but even sorrier that this ring is going home to Pam this week!”

Leigh Sales has revealed the truth behind one decision she made on election night, after social media users speculated she was trying to send a hidden message. Picture: ABC

Similar speculation surrounded Jenny Morrison’s apparently teal-coloured dress at her husband’s concession speech.

The Carla Zampatti outfit raised eyebrows among eagle-eyed social media users, who couldn’t help but notice the irony that the Liberals largely lost the election in a so-called “Teal” bloodbath led by the climate-driven independents.

Interesting dress choice from Jenny https://t.co/IWjpkfQ1Pdpic.twitter.com/QDlzI8RVWU

— Melanie Tait (@MelanieTait) May 21, 2022

Jenny Morrison looking resplendent in … light teal … Carla Zampatti? pic.twitter.com/lY3NgdzFVY

— Jenna Clarke (@jennamclarke) May 21, 2022

Among those was independent Allegra Spender from the eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth, who booted out Liberal MP Dave Sharma.

Ironically, Carla Zampatti is Allegra Spender’s late mother.

Billionaire Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brookes took to social media to congratulate Jenny on the dress.

“(Clap) for Jenny standing up in teal – for Allegra Spender and for all the incredible women who changed Australia tonight,” he wrote.

Jenny Morrison raised eyebrows in a duck-egg blue Carla Zampatti number during her husband’s concession speech. Picture: Jason Edwards

The speculation around Sales’ outfit comes as the veteran journalist prepares to step down from her role as host of the national broadcaster’s 7.30.

After 12 years at the helm of the ABC’s flagship current affairs show, Sales revealed in February she would be leaving the desk in June “once the federal election is over”.

“There’s nothing wrong, other than I just feel a strong sense of it being time to pass the baton to the next runner in the race and to take a break,” she said at the time.

“At the end of an election cycle feels like a good time to move on to something new at the ABC. I hope it’s been obvious that I’ve always approached this job with one goal – and that is to ask frank questions of people in power, without fear or favour, that a fair-minded, reasonable person with some common sense watching at home might like to ask if they were sitting in my position.”

The ABC announced in April that Four Corners journalist and multi-award-winning presenter Sarah Ferguson would replace Sales as host of 7.30.