Call it a case of West Wing Syndrome, the Trump bump, or a reaction to our own blissfully boring Canberra bubble, but interest in US politics has never been higher.
That feverish excitement has made Australia an increasingly regular stop for US figures on the post-politics speaking circuit. In recent years, we’ve had visits from former president Barack Obama, ex-veep and presidential hopeful Kamala Harris (twice), plus Hillary Clinton (and a hologram of Julia Gillard, no joke).
Next up is Michelle Obama, whom CBD can reveal will be in Australia next May for events in Sydney at the ICC theatre (recently rebranded as the TikTok Entertainment Centre) and Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.
It’s Obama’s first time speaking in Australia, and she’ll discuss her experiences as a wife, a mother, the first lady and as a best-selling author, we’re told, as part of a tour organised by corporate speaking firm Growth Faculty, which organised her husband’s trip in 2023. Another great get, and we’re expecting two full houses.
As for who will be conversing with Obama, the MC gig is up for grabs. But we’re sure there will be plenty of interest from such ABC favourites as Leigh Sales, Annabel Crabb, Sarah Ferguson and Julia Baird. A lengthy list of hopefuls.
Ever since the Trump era began, misty-eyed liberals who must’ve slept through the 2016 election have speculated about the prospects of another Obama in the White House. Michelle has repeatedly poured cold water over those fantasies, last week telling an interviewer that the US was simply not ready for a female president.
Anyway, being a former president’s spouse sounds like a whole lot more fun. Two years ago, Obama raised headlines after she reportedly took home $US750,000 for an hour-long speech. On diversity. In Germany. No word from Australian organisers on what they paid for the privilege of her insights, but we imagine neither Obama comes cheap.
Why Caviar Kellie vetoes Vaucluse
Change has finally come to the NSW Liberals.
After years of the party grumbling about his anaemic performance, nice guy Mark Speakman is finally out, replaced by “caviar” Kellie Sloane following a protracted, but ultimately bloodless, coup.
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