In a statement,the Australia Council said:“Board members register their apologies for not being able to attend meetings for a range of reasons including,but not limited to,prior work commitments,family obligations and illness. There is no minimum number of meetings a board member is required to attend. Ms Arena has contributed to the normal work of the board.”

Mr Morrison is a long-time Arena fan,once describing his interest in her music as “bordering on unhealthy”. He saw her in the musical Evita in 2018 and attended her concert in western Sydney on December 14,2019,the night before leaving Australia for his infamous Hawaiian holiday.

Shortly after becoming Prime Minister he alsoasked former foreign minister Julie Bishop if she could supply him with Arena’s phone number so he could tell her he would be at the show.