“A Royal Reunion: Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion Embrace a Second Chance”

National CBD You shall go to the ball: Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion to step out in style

By Noel Towell and Kishor Napier-Raman

June 21, 2023 — 5.00am

Parliament House’s Midwinter Ball, the annual event that brings together politicians, press gallery hacks, and corporate hangers-on, is set to take place, and this year it holds special significance. Not only is the ball being held during the appropriate season, but it also marks the return of Barnaby Joyce and his partner, Vikki Campion, who will be attending their first ball together as a couple.

Barnaby Joyce, the former deputy Prime Minister of Australia, hasn’t attended the Midwinter Ball since 2017, when he made headlines by showing up with his then-wife and waving a whip in the middle of the marble foyer. Joyce initially had reservations about attending this year’s ball, but Campion convinced him to go. The couple will be seated at the Sky News table, which comes as no surprise.

WIT-DRAWN

On another note, Premier Daniel Andrews of Victoria has once again displayed his mean streak by using rude insults against his political opponents. His latest target was Liberal frontbencher Cindy McLeish, whom he dubbed a “halfwit” during a state parliament debate. Although Andrews withdrew the comment shortly afterward, he refused to apologize, stating that he was defending one of his ministers from McLeish’s criticism. McLeish retaliated by labeling Andrews a “serial bully,” highlighting his history of using derogatory language towards his opponents.

This is not the first time Andrews has resorted to personal attacks. In the past, he has referred to opposition leaders as “my little friend” and suggested they be given “a little box to stand on” in parliament. In 2016, he even made a fat joke about a Liberal MP. It seems that the legacy of Labor’s great political wits, such as Gough Whitlam and Paul Keating, is safe for now.

SUB FEUD

The former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, has made no secret of his strong views on Australia’s relationship with China, as well as his disagreement with The Age’s reporting on the subject. According to documents released under freedom of information, Keating took issue with The Age’s Red Alert series, which examined the potential for conflict with China. He even contacted the Prime Minister’s Office to express his disdain for the publication and its writer Peter Hartcher.

Keating’s strong views on the subject did not resonate with the Labor caucus, and his vitriolic performance at the National Press Club failed to garner support. However, prior to the fallout over the AUKUS policy, there seemed to be a more cordial relationship between Keating and the current Prime Minister. Email exchanges from February show that Keating was given an advance draft of Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s speech to the National Press Club, raising questions about whether Albo sought advice from one of Labor’s finest orators.

CHASE CASE

A lengthy legal battle between comedian Julian Morrow and his former business partner Nick Murray came to an end with a Court of Appeal loss for Morrow and his barrister Sue Chrysanthou. The dispute began when their consumer affairs show, The Checkout, was canceled by the ABC. After the cancellation, Morrow’s production company agreed to sell its share in the joint venture to Morrow’s Giant Dwarf for a minimal amount.

Murray was unaware that Morrow had been in talks with ABC management about a new consumer affairs show similar to their previous collaboration. When Murray found out, he refused to sign a release agreement, effectively halting the new show. Morrow sued Murray for breaching the sale agreement, while Murray counter-claimed that Morrow’s actions amounted to misleading and deceptive conduct. Morrow also sued Murray for defamation over angry emails sent to ABC management, including one that compared Morrow to Lord Voldemort.

In the previous ruling, the Supreme Court judge found in favor of Morrow on the defamation aspect but against him on the commercial case. However, the Court of Appeal overturned the defamation ruling, finding that Murray’s emails were covered by the qualified privilege defense. The court upheld the original ruling on misleading and deceptive conduct and breaching director’s duties, leaving Morrow responsible for Murray’s legal bills totaling around $2.5 million.

SHARE WAVES

A recent stock market raid on Southern Cross Media (SCM), the owner of Triple M, by rival ARN, which owns the KIIS and The Edge stations, had unexpected benefits for outgoing SCM CEO Grant Blackley. Despite the challenges he faced when taking over the debt-ridden company in 2015, Blackley managed to keep it afloat. However, he was unable to reverse the long-term decline in revenue and earnings.

But Blackley showed solidarity with Southern Cross investors by investing over $1 million in the company. Although the value of his holdings had decreased over time, the recent market activity resulted in an increase in SCM’s shares by 25%. This boost in value provided a nice parting gift for Blackley, whose base salary was over $1.2 million last year.

Despite the legal battles, political disputes, and market fluctuations, life in the CBD carries on with its usual mix of drama, intrigue, and occasional surprises.