Australians don’t appear to be interested in paying to get closer to their leaders, but they would gladly say farewell to them at the airport.
The lack of interest in the experiences being auctioned off for charity prior to the Midwinter Ball hosted by the federal parliament press gallery on Wednesday night is delivering a severe judgement in that regard.
Those who sign up may bid to attend a Big Bash League cricket game with opposition leader Peter Dutton, play tennis or snooker with prime minister Anthony Albanese at the Lodge in Canberra, or have “intimate” meals with prominent politicians.
Two Qantas business class round-trip tickets to London or Los Angeles are the only things drawing significant interest, according to the BidForGood website on eBay, which displays all the products up for auction.
With 32 bids, the opportunity to travel halfway around the globe from Parliament House is by far the most competitive item being offered for sale.
The flight tickets are advertised as sitting at $12,700 with only a few hours left until the auction ends before the real black-tie gala is hosted at Parliament House on Wednesday night.
This indicates that they are fetching more than twice as much as a tennis match with Mr. Albanese, which is now having a winning offer of $5,600.01.
A “can’t-miss chance” to play tennis with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at The Lodge is promised in the item’s description.
Choose whether to play a singles game for one person or a doubles game for three. It’s aces in any case! The blurb states, “Refreshments provided.”
Five bids have been made for the tennis match and another opportunity to compete against the prime minister in snooker or pool.
There are three more bids for this than there were for a game of golf with Richard Marles, the defence minister, or a “intimate” supper with the Teal independents.
The minimum asking price for each item, which looks to be between $3000 or $5000, is the only bid that has been placed on the other goods.
At this point, someone will pay $5,000 to spend the night at the NRL with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and $5,000 to see the Brisbane Heat play in a Big Bash League match while being hosted by Mr. Dutton.
A $5000 offer has also been made by an interested party to attend a “power feast” with Penny Wong, the foreign minister, and Tanya Plibersek, the environment minister.
Additionally, there is the opportunity to dine “intimately” with some of Australia’s “most important journalists,” i.e. senior reporters or political editors from significant news organisations.
That presently has one offer for $3,000, therefore there is no need to keep it on the main page.
The Midwinter Ball hasn’t been hosted since 2019 due to Covid’s two-year streak of ruining the yearly event.
The ball usually takes place in June, but following the March election, after lawmakers had settled into their new positions, it was agreed to move the event later this year.
There are not many hours left to respond to Mr. Albanese’s exhortation to “dig deep” for charity.
He said last month that “The Midwinter Ball Charity auction is a special occasion that has successfully earned more than $4.4 million for charity.”
I urge everyone to put in extra effort and make this year’s event a success.
I’d also advise players to request a tennis or pool match at The Lodge.
This year, donations will be sent to a number of charities, including the Ukraine Crisis Appeal, Rural Aid Australia, the food rescue organisation OzHarvest Australia, the charity Fearless Women, and Roundabout Canberra, which donates gently used children’s clothing to deserving families.