By Noel Towell and Kishor Napier-Raman
Australians caused a minor diplomatic incident in London over the weekend. And no, we’re not talking about Alex Carey’s perfectly legitimate dismissal of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s.
George Brandis is out, and Stephen Smith is in.Credit: John Shakespeare
Instead, the Australian high commission to the UK’s decision to cancel its much-loved annual Pride party, which would’ve been held during last weekend’s festivities in the British capital, has ruffled plenty of feathers.
No comment on why the event was canned, but it just happens to be Rudd-Gillard-era minister Stephen Smith’s first year in the gig. When it comes to celebratory soirees, the Albanese government has erred on the side of joyless sobriety, just in case people get the wrong idea. Maybe that memo reached London.
Which is a damn shame because, especially during former attorney-general George Brandis′ reign as high commissioner, the Australia House Pride party garnered a reputation as the diplomatic event of the year in London.
Embassies from like-minded Western nations competed to put on the best Pride bash, but frequently failed to match Australia House for pure vibes.
Australian high commission staff marked Pride in London, but a much-anticipated party was cancelled.
Bringing together Aussie expats, overseas diplomats, Whitehall staffers and foreign office mandarins, the event was both an excuse to party into the wee hours and a shrewd bit of soft power projection that was a hit among influential queers of the British upper crust. For now, it seems, the fun is over.
KICKING IN
We brought word on Friday of the Andrews state Labor government’s bin night – taking out the political trash of its former No.2 dude James Merlino scoring a $99,000-a-year gig at the yet-to-be-built Suburban Rail Loop while it hoped not many people were paying attention.
It got us thinking about Merlino’s other big post-politics gig, the spot on the board of the troubled Hawthorn footy club that the former education minister scored last November, running on the successful ticket that saw former player Andy Gowers take over the Hawks presidency from another ex-politico, former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett.
James Merlino has become chair of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority.Credit: Tash Sorensen
In the heat of the electoral battle, Gowers accused Kennett of punching a $25 million hole in the club’s finances with the former premier’s constant criticism of the state government, leaving Spring Street unwilling to part with the $15 million Hawthorn needed to crack on with their new home at Dingley.
The lack of state government funds deterred, Gowers argued, another $10 million in donations from wealthy fans.
Kennett actually conceded that Gowers was right about the $15 million, but took issue with his rival’s claims about the other $10 million.
“The $15 million that the government’s been holding back from us, I expect to be delivered tomorrow, James,” Kennett said in a parting shot at Merlino and Gowers.
Well, it took longer than a day. But the money did front up. In April. Let’s hope those Suburban Rail Loop trains, when they finally take to the track, run more promptly than that.
THE RIGHT STUFF
We’re just over a month away from CBD’s favourite right-wing jamboree, the Conservative Political Action Conference, coming to Sydney at the end of August to mark our cards on the perils of pronouns and the Woke Mind Virus.
On Monday, organisers began unveiling the line-up, and in a shock to almost nobody, Country Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and former Labour national president Warren Mundine, two leading opponents of an Indigenous Voice to parliament, are top of the bill.
The event’s tagline is We Are One – a clear sign that attacking the Voice will be a common theme at this year’s event.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
But there’s a dearth of international star power at CPAC this year – although Donald Trump jnr is in Australia next week for those interested.
Instead, CPAC guests will be greeted by appearances from about half the Nationals party room: Barnaby Joyce, Keith Pitt, Bridget McKenzie and Matt Canavan are all joining Price on the speakers’ list, with the junior Coalition partner not far off a quorum if the Nats fancy an impromptu caucus meeting on the side of the conference.
Former speaker and helicopter enthusiast Bronwyn Bishop is on the cards, along with Liberal senator and conservative darling Alex Antic and, of course, exiled Victorian Lib Moira Deeming.
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