Nothing greases the wheels of government quite like the cash of the nation’s assorted corporates and special interest groups.
Every so often, we get a sliver of insight into the creative ways money can be funnelled into Australian politics through the nation’s various disclosure mechanisms. But it’s the events we hear about outside of those regular disclosure channels that most pique this column’s interest.
Take the latest instalment of Australian Labor Party’s Business Forum, for example, where prospective guests have been invited to stump up $4000 a head for access to Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy on April 9, for a boardroom afternoon tea in Sydney, according to an email seen by CBD. (Or just $3000 a head for members!)
McCarthy and a representative of the Labor Business Forum didn’t respond to requests for comment in time for publication.
McCarthy was elected a senator for the Northern Territory and Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 2016, and serves as Minister for Indigenous Australians in the Albanese government. And she is only the latest Labor minister to be wheeled out to help fill the Australian Labor Party’s war chest.
Not that we’re surprised. Earlier this month it emerged that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers couldn’t even celebrate their joint birthday without turning the event into a party fundraising opportunity.
The duo were the headline act at a recent iteration of Labor’s series of Business Forum events, according to the Australian Financial Review, which reported at the time that Westpac chief executive Anthony Miller was among those who showed up for the celebration.
Also there, according to the Fin, was the Pharmacy Guild’s Trent Twomey, Australian Hotels Association CEO Stephen Ferguson, Private Healthcare’s Rachel David and the Minerals Council’s Tania Constable.
At least McCarthy had the self-respect to schedule her corporate pay-for-play on a day other than her birthday.
RBA governor spent $2m on coastal home – on same day as rate hike
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to ratchet up interest rates by 25 basis points on March 17 will no doubt have turned the screws on household budgets across the country.
But not so for Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock herself, it seems. On the same day the RBA decided to lift rates, Bullock settled on a $2.05 million purchase of a new four-bedroom home along with her husband, Ian Bullock. There is no mortgage on the title.
The couple are listed as “joint tenants” according to settlement documents seen by this masthead, on a home a stone’s throw from the water in Yamba, a town on the NSW North Coast an hour-and-a-half’s drive south of Byron Bay.
In a listing for the property, which according to Domain was sold by private treaty, the home was described as one for “the discerning buyer”, and sits at an address that “is a testament to luxurious coastal living”.
“Designed for absolute comfort no matter the climate, the home features ducted air-conditioning, ceiling fans, louvre windows, and outdoor heating to the entertaining area,” the listing reads.
“All four bedrooms are incredibly generous in size, with the main bathroom being ideally positioned to service bedrooms two and three. But the indulgent parent’s retreat is a sanctuary all of its own. Featuring an oversized walk-in robe that exudes opulence and practicality, and a well-appointed ensuite, this private haven offers a space to relax, recharge, and revel in the luxury you deserve.”
Of course, we were eager to hear from Bullock on whether she has any concerns over the perception that she might be a little out of touch, given the financial strain felt by ordinary Australians across the economy. But the Reserve Bank declined to comment.
Bullock, however, did say on the day of the rise that the decision to lift rates would be tough news for people with a mortgage.
Husic puts space between himself and Albo on Grace Tame
Unlike the PM, dumped cabinet minister Ed Husic smartly navigated the now notorious one-word description of well-known figures trap during a recent podcast appearance.
Husic instantly replied “Brilliant” when asked for a one-word description of outspoken activist, Grace Tame while speaking with comedians Lewis Hobb and Dan Ilic on their A Rational Fear podcast.
Just to recap, Anthony Albanese fell headfirst into a headline after replying “difficult” when asked by Herald Sun editor Sam Weir for a single word quick take on Tame at News Corp Australia’s Future Forum in Melbourne last month.
In a knowing aside, Husic said, “Oh no, I have seen the way this goes, wait up, wait up, we are not at a News Corp event are we?” before shaping up to have, as it turns out, just one name rattled off at him on the podcast.
Husic, chair of the Standing Committee on Economics, was the Minister for Industry and Science before losing his portfolio and being dumped from cabinet mid-last year.
He let rip on the ABC’s Insiders program days after being punted to the backbench, saying he believed his public criticism of Israel was a factor in his ousting and described deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles as a “factional assassin.”
John Buckley is a CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
Fiona Byrne is the CBD columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners
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