Markets 
Once a Nat, always a Nat. That was one of the explanations when we asked people close to the Nationals leadership why billionaire Clive Palmer had made a cameo at the party’s federal conference festivities in Canberra over the weekend.
Heading into Saturday, all eyes were on who the party would appoint as its next national director. That job went to Tim Dixon, a lawyer and a former trade adviser, who has been working as the deputy director of the NSW Nationals since January.
Some of the names floated as contenders for the gig had included John Barilaro, of whom CBD brought word in June that he had been elected to the central council of the NSW Nationals. Another option was Jeff McCormack, a former Barnaby Joyce adviser.
But it was Palmer’s appearance at the party’s Saturday evening dinner, relayed to us by two sources briefed on the event, that caught our attention.
The billionaire mining magnate is worth about $19.55 billion, according to The Australian Financial Review’s Rich List, and he has made no secret of his intentions to run for office in the Queensland electorate of Fadden at the 2028 federal election.
After the unmitigated disaster of his Trump-inspired “Trumpet of Patriots” rebrand, which Palmer abandoned for a return to his United Australia Party this year, we couldn’t help but wonder if the serial litigant is trying to strengthen ties to his former party. But Palmer’s visit was nothing more than a friendly show of support, according to a source close to the billionaire.
Palmer was seen rubbing shoulders with Nationals leader Matt Canavan and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor at Saturday night’s gala dinner, where guests were treated to a performance by country musician Lee Kernaghan.
Others at the gala dinner included former prime minister John Howard, along with former defence minister and opposition leader Brendan Nelson, and Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, who sat beside Taylor at dinner.
ABC’s birthday bash
The ABC’s Australian Story is celebrating some 30 years on air, and we hear the broadcaster had no trouble filling seats in the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House for a live edition of the show to mark the milestone.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn dropped in on the event and gave an address to guests gathered in the hall to kick off proceedings. ABC stalwart Leigh Sales hosted a 90-minute live show.
The line-up included previous subjects and guests, including actor Claudia Karvan, Olympian Michael Klim, community leader Mechelle Turvey, maths teacher Eddie Woo, and farmers Gayle and Mac Shann.
Deborah Fleming, the founding executive producer of Australian Story, was there, CBD hears, along with ABC chairman Kim Williams, who we’re told even got a shout-out, and Jo Corrigan, wife of the late James Valentine. One person who wasn’t able to make it, but who we’re told was sad to miss it, was managing director Hugh Marks, who was tied up with previous commitments in Townsville.
Comedian and actor Tim Minchin performed, we’re told, as did singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd. There was also a Pub Choir singalong led by conductor and vocalist Astrid Jorgensen.
Drummond’s payday
AFL chairman Craig Drummond has had a shocker week or two as he and the club he formerly chaired, the Geelong Cats, sought to manage the Jake Kolodjashnij concussion waiver crisis.
Some consolation for the former Goldman Sachs investment banker, however, would be the $705,000 annual pay packet Drummond receives via one of his lucrative side hustles as chairman of $45 billion toll-road operator Transurban.
Drummond’s payday was revealed on Thursday as the company, which runs 11 roads in Sydney including the Cross City Tunnel and the M4, unveiled its 2026 financial results, headlined by a $432 million profit – more than double the year before.
Drummond has enjoyed a sweet pay rise from the $688,000 he got in 2025.
Transurban boss Michelle Jablko got a salary boost too, up from $5.1 million in 2025 to $5.83 million this year.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
John Buckley is a CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.From our partners
Read the full article here
