Phil Lowe knows his time is truly up. And so does corporate Australia. The outgoing Reserve Bank governor cut a lonely figure as he rode solo up the escalator to the Wentworth ballroom for Wednesday night’s Business Council of Australia annual dinner.
Not the case for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, guest of honour at the lobby group’s big night, who was immediately cornered by Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill and chairman Richard Goyder (also of Qantas and the AFL and ... it goes on) in the lobby outside.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the Business Council of Australia’s annual dinner.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Gilbert + Tobin managing partner and key Voice to parliament backer Danny Gilbert managed to squeeze into the PM’s orbit next. With the Yes campaign, run out of the law firm’s Barangaroo tower office, looking tired, we’re sure there was much to discuss.
The PM’s speech filled with predictable lines about “working together” with job creators passed without incident. Except for the point at which Albo’s teleprompter appeared to cut out, leaving the prime minister briefly grasping for his notes.
Albanese was joined by a handful of his top lieutenants. Treasurer Jim Chalmers (a late arrival), Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Trade Minister Don Farrell and assistant treasurers Stephen Jones and Andrew Leigh all did the rounds in a room that’s been the scene of many a Liberal Party election triumph.
From the other side of politics, Coalition frontbenchers Bridget McKenzie and Simon Birmingham made the cut. As did a few former Liberal ministers – Julie Bishop came swanning in like she owned the joint, Christopher Pyne continued to entertain.
The Business Council of Australia’s incoming chief executive Bran Black shakes hands with the prime minister, as BCA president Tim Reed watches on.Credit: Wolter Peeters
And now that the Independent Commission Against Corruption has found Gladys Berejiklian engaged in corrupt conduct, the former NSW premier turned Optus executive is free to work rooms with aplomb.
In a sign that we really are living under a Labor government, the Australian Council of Trade Unions bosses Michele O’Neil and Sally McManus were invited to break bread with the big end of town, although the two were relegated to the further reaches of the ballroom.
The good tables were monopolised by the usual suspects. Google Australia managing director Mel Silva and National Australia Bank chief executive Ross McEwan scored spots on Albo’s table alongside BCA president Tim Reed.
Commbank’s Matt Comyn, ANZ boss Shayne Elliott, Telstra’s Vicki Brady and BHP’s Mike Henry all scored prime real estate. You get the picture.
No sign, however, of departing Qantas boss Alan Joyce, who usually likes to flaunt his closeness with the PM.
The sombre soiree was another valedictory for the BCA’s outgoing veteran chief executive Jennifer Westacott. Her replacement, Dom Perrottet’s old chief of staff Bran Black seemed a little uncomfortable with the big stage as he got up to give the closing address. With little name recognition outside Macquarie Street, he’s got big shoes to fill.
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