By Kishor Napier-Raman and Stephen Brook
When Kevin Rudd landed the plum role of ambassador to the United States last year, few would’ve imagined that the former prime minister would rebrand himself as a full-blown party animal.
But the Ruddster has made White Oaks mansion, the ambassador’s residence in north-west Washington, one of the hottest tickets in the swamp.
When Kitty met Kev.Credit: SMH
A tennis-themed party in April before the White House correspondents’ dinner proved a hit among the city’s media class. But the real showstopper was a Pride party at Rudd’s residence last June, months after the ambassador arrived in Washington. According to documents released under freedom of information laws, the embassy spared no expense in ensuring the event was a glitter-spangled banger.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade splashed out nearly $US3000 on balloon installations, one fashioned into a rainbow pride flag and another in a custom garland. The catering bill was just over $US7000.
But by far, the biggest drawcards were the drag queens. The embassy flew drag DJ Kitty Glitter into Washington, paying the performer $US2792 for their set, plus flights and incidentals. Fellow drag queen Crystal Edge also performed a set for $US400.
It’s a sharp contrast with Rudd’s old ministerial colleague Stephen Smith, who, after becoming high commissioner to the United Kingdom last year, cancelled the wildly popular annual Pride party held at Australia House.
More intriguing to us was the list of attendees, also released in the FOI docs. Aside from the usual suspects – officials from the White House, US State Department, Department of Defence, and diplomatic and media types, Kevin from Queensland entertained a few guests from Capitol Hill. Largely Democrats, as you might expect, notably staff of senators Kirstin Gillibrand and Ed Markey.
But the guest list shows a few Republicans put aside the party’s deep fear of drag queens and general hostility to LGBTQ rights and showed up for a night of revelry. Staff from the offices of GOP congressman Kelly Armstrong and senators Tim Scott of South Carolina (who briefly ran for president in this year’s primaries) and Rick Scott of Florida were attendees.
The representation of the two Scotts (no relation) was particularly intriguing given the pair recently co-sponsored a bill that would restrict federal funding to schools that allow students to change their gender pronouns.
Which we guess speaks to Kevin 07’s ability to throw a party.
LEWD LATHAM
Mark Latham is in a mood. A day before launching into an unhinged attack on racing and rugby league supremo Peter V’landys in the NSW Upper House, the former Labor leader turned independent state MP was causing a scene at the Ivy penthouse.
At a private party to celebrate former premier Dom Perrottet’s valedictory, shortly after another ex-premier, Mike Baird, treated guests to a rather funny speech, Latham encountered Daily Telegraph reporter James Willis near the lifts.
Sources told CBD Latham directed a loud and nasty tirade at Willis, largely replete with words too rude to print in a family-friendly column like ours.
Nobody is sure what beef Latham has with Willis, who came to the tabloid last year after a long stint at 2GB. Nobody is really sure what Latham is on about most of the time.
Latham didn’t return our calls, and Willis declined to comment.
DOG FIGHT
Artist Vincent Fantauzzo is one of our most acclaimed portraitists. He has painted the prime minister, exhibited globally, won numerous awards, and has a Brisbane hotel named in his honour. Oh, and he’s married to actor Asher Keddie.
He’s also the proud owner of Sandro, who has just cost his dog daddy more than $7000 in fines, compensation and court costs after an early morning walk descended into a dog-eat-dog melee.
Fantauzzo was found guilty in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria of being liable for a dog attack causing serious injury and contravening an order to control a dog.
Events spiralled out of control in December 2022 when Sandro, accompanied by Fantauzzo, encountered Banjo near the corner of Inkerman Street and St Kilda Road in St Kilda.
The court heard Sandro “bit the leg of the other dog but did not hold on to it”, causing lacerations to Banjo’s leg.
Fantauzzo, who defended himself at an earlier court hearing after contesting the charges, was fined $1000 without conviction but also ordered to pay $2001.93 compensation to Banjo’s owner and court costs of $4206 – a total of more than $7200.
Magistrate Mark Stratmann dismissed two further charges and asked the famous artist if he was financially OK to pay the money and supported by a partner, seemingly unaware that Fantauzzo is married to one of Australia’s most famous thespians.
“I never really know what my financial condition will be until I have my exhibition,” Fantauzzo told the court.
“My wife also works; she is an actress. So her work’s kind of similar to mine, you know, job by job,” he said.