A church spokesman was a little more forthcoming:“I’m surprised to hear our flight plans are of interest,given the abundance of plane-related news in Australia at the moment,” the spokeswoman said.
“Yes,I can confirm that many members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church are travelling from around the world to attend a series of church conferences. As part of this,a company has been engaged to organise several trips to and from Sydney,as well as transfers,a bit of sightseeing and the like.
“For trips like this,we generally use a combination of commercial and charter flights,determined by what is most cost-effective and convenient.”
Did any of the Brethren flock make it into the Chairman’s Lounge? That,as they say,is an unknown unknown.
Kim’s multiverse
So prolific are the media interviews,speeches,public appearances and book signings of ABC chairmanKim Williams,it’s as if the national broadcaster needs multiple universes to maintain his schedule. They’ve made a movie about him,we think it’s calledEverything Everywhere All at Once.
Williams gave the Menzies Oration at Federation University in Ballarat last week and is lined up to speak at the National Press Club in Canberra on November 27. Don’t miss it. Well,you won’t be able to miss it. Not allowed.
But one fascinating detail from midway through his Menzies Oration caught CBD’s attention. Williams let the cat out of the bag regarding the new job for one of Aunty’s most popular presenters,Lisa Millar.
The formerABC News Breakfast presenter will take over from retiring ABC stalwartHeather Ewart as the lead presenter ofBack Roadsnext year,Williams said.
CBD hears that the ABC was holding off on formally announcing this until next year,after Ewart’s run of programs (she has quite a few in the can) were broadcast.
It is no secret that Millar has been dividing her time betweenMuster Dogs andBack Roads since jumping off the breakfast couch a few months ago,but even she wasn’t ready for the Williams announcement.
It could have been an amusing question to ask outgoing ABC managing directorDavid Andersonat parliament’s Senate estimates on Tuesday,but the ABC boss is unwell. Subbing in his place is acting managing director and chief financial officerMelanie Kleyn. Microwave the popcorn for 11.45am.
Long lunch
To Melbourne’s beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and a stylish marquee on the shores of the Ornamental Lake for the grandness of the Australian Hotels Association’s (AHA) pre-Cup Day national board luncheon. CBD would have settled for a surf ‘n’ turf and a slab in the backyard,but readers now fully understand that is not how lobby groups and politicians interface in the Australian polity.
AHA chief executiveStephen Ferguson was vexed and gave Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese and parliament grief for having the unmitigated temerity to schedule a sitting on Melbourne Cup Day. It is the “most culturally important day outside Anzac Day”,he told guests. Truly.
Lunch made for strange seating combinations,such as PremierJacinta Allannext to Sky News commentator and formerTony Abbottchief of staffPeta Credlin;Endeavour Group chairmanAri Mervis beside Tabcorp chief executiveGillon McLachlan;Herald and Weekly Times chair and Tourism Australia board memberPenny Fowleralongside former Albanese andDan Andrewsstaffer-turned-TikTok lobbyist Sabina Husic,whose brotherEd Husicis the federal industry and science minister.
In what might be regarded as a communications snafu,the AHA mailed out the guest list with dietary requirements to every attendee a few days before the event. Thus,we know the dietary requirements of Victorian opposition spokesman for sport and major eventsSam Groth are “no mushrooms”.