A Zoom speech from Joe Hockey? That’ll be $20,000 please

Next week marks a decade since Joe Hockey delivered his infamous 2014 federal budget in which he toasted Australians as a nation of “lifters, not leaners” after puffing a victory cigar outside the Treasury building with finance minister Mathias Cormann.

In the pink: But did Anthony’s Pratt’s rosy Met show meet Anna’s approval?Credit: John Shakespeare

Ever since then, the humble St Aloys’ old boy made good has been staying true to that “up-by-the-bootstraps” mantra. After leaving politics following the Abbott government’s implosion, Hockey lifted his way to a job as ambassador to the United States.

Now based in Washington DC, where business is booming for his little strategic advisory firm, Bondi Partners, Hockey has plenty of wisdom to impart about the corridors of power.

But those insights don’t come cheap. According to a PR email obtained by CBD, the former treasurer, who declared, in that infamous speech, that the “Age of Entitlement” was over, commands a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 for a virtual address. It’ll cost more to get the man in the room, subject to negotiation because he has to travel from the States.

According to the keynotes, Hockey is ready to weigh in on his time inside the halls of power and “the meaning of leadership”. And his “front-row seat to the chaos” of the Trump administration is also a seller for anyone after Hockey’s hot takes on the upcoming US presidential election rematch.

“Hockey’s philosophy on navigating the challenges that come with leadership is to stay true to your values because when faced with disappointment, you will be able to rest knowing your actions were authentic to who you are,” the email said. And to be fair, Joe’s never diverged from his.

Even Hockey seemed taken aback at just how much his time is worth when contacted by CBD on Tuesday but said the email must’ve been sent around by his celebrity agent Nick Fordham (brother of breakfast radio Ben Fordham).

Maybe Fordo got a little too eager.

STOP THE BOATS

CBD is glad that Premier Chris Minns disregarded our commentary and extended NSW Governor Margaret Beazley’s term for two more years. Her excellency never fails to deliver content.

On Tuesday, Beazley and an entourage of visiting vice-regal representatives, including Western Australian Governor Chris Dawson, Northern Territory Administrator Hugh Heggie and their spouses, travelled from her residence in the Royal Botanic Gardens (where the guests were staying) to Admiralty House in Kirribilli, home of the governor-general, for a special meeting.

Rather than slum it on the 10-minute drive over the bridge, the merry band travelled on the historic steamer Lady Hopetoun, which took them from Man O’War Steps to the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron up north.

So much, once again, for her excellency’s famed distaste for party boats on the harbour! Now, just weeks ago, CBD revealed that Beazley had planned to catch a taxpayer-funded private helicopter, Bronwyn Bishop-style, from her harbourside mansion to Bankstown Aerodrome, a 40-minute drive away.

Back then, commonsense prevailed, and Beazley took the car. This time, however, not even the threat of rain could force the governor to back down, even if the private vehicle fleet was on standby in case the weather got too gnarly.

But fear not – her excellency’s latest waterborne adventures came at no cost to NSW taxpayers (unlike her circa $500,000-a-year salary).

“Today, following an invitation from Sydney Heritage Fleet, volunteers showcased their lovingly restored steam launch, the Lady Hopetoun, to the governor and interstate visitors, at no cost to the taxpayer,” a Government House spokesperson told us.

Beazley is a patron of the organisation, which otherwise charges around $1800 for 25 people for a three-hour spin on the Lady Hopetoun.

PRATTY IN PINK

Money can buy you everything, but not always class.

So Met Gala attendees learnt today when a hot pink streak made his way up the Baz Luhrmann-designed “Garden of Time” floral display to be greeted by US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour for his allotted 30-second chat.

Billionaire box baron Anthony Pratt, we salute you.

The cardboard king rich lister, worth $24.30 billion with his family, wore a hot pink frock coat embroidered with “Pratt 100% Recycled” decals, more usually seen on his Visy and Pratt Industries’ cardboard boxes.

Talk about wearing your corporate heart (if not your company manifesto) on your sleeve.

A pair of tan Balenciaga sensible sneakers completed the ensemble and the vibe was 100 per cent Willy Wonka meets LGBTQ Pride. The future’s so bright we are going to need shades!

Pratt’s fashion wattage comfortably eclipsed more famous Aussie celebs, such as a heavily reworked Nicole Kidman, who was classic in a couture Balenciaga 1950s homage and Chris Hemsworth’s cream Tom Ford suit, positively dullsville in comparison.

Pratt last made headlines in Australia in February when he shelled out about $1.5 million to invite US singer Katy Perry to his Raheen mansion in Melbourne for a food and beverage industry knees-up attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

But the cardboard king, who once claimed “being rich is my superpower” in explaining his close ties to former president Donald Trump, has clearly arrived in the US celebrity ecosystem. All Gala attendees must be personally invited by Wintour, and that is before they need to shell out the required $US75,000 $113,000 per ticket.