Money, power and ... Rupert descend on Lachlan Murdoch’s Christmas bash
By Calum Jaspan
Australia’s politicians, media figureheads and power players descended on Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch’s Bellevue Hill mansion on Thursday night, in a return of their highly exclusive and renowned Christmas bash.
And, the biggest guest of them all, Lachlan’s father, Rupert Murdoch was in attendance, in town for his first visit since 2018 after several cancelled trips. The newlywed, alongside his fifth wife Elena Zhukova, arrived in Australia for a summer break.
It was an evening to relax and mingle with some of Australia’s biggest power players after a year of ups and downs for the Murdoch family. Rupert, who married Zhukova in June, was slated to visit Australia earlier this year for the lavish 60th birthday celebrations for the masthead he personally founded, The Australian, but cancelled the trip.
Yet one individual was afforded more time with the 93-year-old guest of honour than most. That would be the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who arrived (and left) early and was seen having a “long chat” with Murdoch, two attendees told this masthead on condition of anonymity.
Peter Dutton was also in attendance, though a spokesperson for the opposition leader told this masthead they would not confirm which guests he spent time with, or for how long.
Throughout the course of the party, guests were lined up for their moment with Murdoch, who has been locked in a secret legal battle with his children for the past year. The outcome of a court hearing in Nevada in September for control of the family trust – and control of the News and Fox Corp empire – still hanging in the balance and out of public view.
The media mogul officially retired last year, handing the reins over to Lachlan, his elder son. He has angered his three other eldest children, Prudence, James and Elizabeth, by seeking to shift all voting control held in the family trust over to Lachlan in the event of his death.
But both will be acutely aware the last time the News Corp chairman emeritus stepped foot on local shores, then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull just happened to be rolled in a leadership spill which ultimately brought Scott Morrison to power.
While Albanese is likely to be safe in the lead up to next year’s federal election, talk is mounting his treasurer, Jim Chalmers, may be the one sitting in the Lodge this time next year.
Among those seen arriving included NSW Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna, making a brief appearance, as well as billionaire Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht. Both Stokes’, Ryan and Kerry were spotted amongst the influential crowd.
Two of the nation’s most influential sporting executives, former AFL and now Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo were pictured smiling as they left the party.
Foxtel’s two most senior executives, boss Patrick Delany and streaming chief Julian Ogrin left after the sun had set. The pay TV company, one of News Corp’s most prized assets is amid a high-profile sale process, with British streaming outfit DAZN rumoured to be firming as the favourite.
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor was snapped, as was Murdoch senior’s niece and Herald & Weekly Times chair Penny Fowler.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo (left) and his former opposite number at the AFL, and now Tabcorp CEO, Gillon McLachlan at Lachlan Murdoch’s Christmas party.Credit: James Brickwood
The world’s most famous ad man David Droga, or as he recently referred to himself as “the Wombat of Wall Street”, made an appearance, arguably just as well known for his oceanfront redevelopment, Lang Syne, on Tamarama’s beachfront.
Sky News Australia stars are a regular feature at the annual Christmas event, with Paul Murray and Peta Credlin exiting together, while Chris Kenny, whose show airs at an earlier 5pm, arrived late and Sharri Markson arrived early.
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