The curse of Rupert: Lachlan Murdoch has a long way to go to match his dad |
Lachlan Murdoch, victorious heir to the family’s global media empire, celebrated the end of a tumultuous year at his Sydney Harbour mansion Thursday evening with a guest list that few social events in Australia could match.
The rich, powerful and famous trekked up the driveway of his humble home – “Le Manoir”, the former French consulate in Bellevue Hill – to one of the most closely watched gatherings on the social calendar.
Lachlan Murdoch has an uphill battle on his hands.Credit: Jamie Brown
Attendees included Sydney’s sports czar Peter V’landys, AFL boss Andrew Dillon and his NRL counterpart Andrew Abdo, along with members of the News Corp-owned NRL premiers Brisbane Broncos: coach Michael Maguire and chief executive Dave Donaghy.
Former AFL boss and high-flying Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan led the stream of corporate talent, which included Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn and SGH boss Ryan Stokes – another corporate titan and billionaire-heir like Lachlan.
Ryan’s billionaire father, Kerry Stokes, was afforded the ultimate status of being driven down Le Manoir’s driveway to avoid the media’s prying eyes. The only other guest afforded this accolade was NSW Premier Chris Minns.
The Liberal Party guest list was typically strong, with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley leading the charge, aspirational rival Angus Taylor was also there, as well as senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
There were plenty of News troops on the premises, of course. This included local boss Michael Miller, and talent like Peta Credlin, Paul Murray and Andrew Bolt.
However, the most telling detail may have been who was not there.
No one from Anthony Albanese’s victorious Labor government attended this year.
Albanese may be overseas, but acting PM Richard........