Young Labor parties and the bill, please
NOW that Julia Gillard has her house in order, it's over to Victorian Young Labor for some housekeeping. In dispute is a $1000-plus Christmas drinks tab that was allegedly paid for from money donated by MPs, unions and lobbying firm Hawker Britton, which is part-owned by former minister David White (pictured). A document that landed on my desk alleges Young Labor president Michael de Bruyn and junior vice-president Kali Watson did a factional deal based on paying the tab at a Carlton pub from money donated to the group for the production of its Beacon magazine. When word reached a displeased Hawker Britton director, Danny Pearson, he emailed another Young Labor member to say that if its funds were used for the knees-up, "I would like to express my profound disappointment" and the company would be "reconsidering supporting Victorian Young Labor in the future". De Bruyn is the son of Joe de Bruyn, the national secretary of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, and is a staffer of Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz. Yesterday, Michael told me the bar tab issue would be resolved at next Thursday's executive meeting, "there are no dramas" and the bill did not exceed $1000. "No Young Labor money was spent on drinks," he insisted. Michael's Facebook page features a Labor legend who loves a beer, Bob Hawke. Watson also said the funds were not used. It's best if the young 'uns BYO their drinks from now on.
NY, London, Paris, Footscray
INTERNATIONAL chefs du jour Fergus Henderson, Anthony Bourdain and Thomas Keller star in a spectacular 14-metre portrait with Australian chefs to mark the 20th anniversary of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival but what the eye doesn't see is the overseas stars were photographed in their countries and digitally added. The snapper was Ellis Parrinder, and digital artist Rufina Breskin did the rest. Aussies Neil Perry, George Calombaris, Stephanie Alexander, Guy Grossi and Jacques Reymond posed in a Footscray warehouse and there's no Shannon Bennett or Ben Shewry because they were unable to make the shoot (and no, it wasn't an option to digitally add them). The photo, MasterClass in Portrait, was the concept of creative director Christian Wagstaff and executive producer Keith Courtney from Creative Production Services and is on show at Queensbridge Square, Southbank. Bravo for putting Footscray on the world map.
Rebecca's frock around the clock
IT'S a glamorous life for Rebecca Judd (pictured) after being the belle of the ball in her J'Aton gown while hosting the red-carpet arrivals at the Allan Border Medal. Tonight, she's starring in Myer's fashion extravaganza at Mural Hall with Jennifer Hawkins, Kris Smith and Jessica Hart, who arrived from NY yesterday. Members of the public who didn't make the VIP guest list with 450 chosen ones will be able to gape at the red-carpet arrivals in the Bourke Street Mall. Myer chief Bernie Brookes will hobnob with Sid Myer and wife Fiona, Robyn Baillieu (wife of Ted), Harry Kewell and wife Sheree Murphy and designers Aurelio Costarella, Bettina and Teresa Liano and Toni Maticevski, who will close the show with his heavenly creations. The parade is styled on the store's autumn/winter campaign that was shot in the wheat fields of Narrandera in the Riverina, but after Mural Hall was restored to its art deco glory, it won't be transformed into the outback.
Dreyfus hosts world premiere
COMPOSER George Dreyfus premieres his new score, Symphony No. 3, on Sunday but already deserves a standing ovation. He said: "Mozart was seven when he wrote his third symphony, Beethoven was 34 (the Eroica) and I am/was 83 when I concocted mine, an amalgam of Goethe's Faust with Spanish Civil War Song." The concert at the Hawthorn Town Hall starts at 2.30pm and is free, apart from the gold coin donation. Dreyfus sees it this way: "What is a gold coin to that end of town?"
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What is the Victorian Young Labor bar tab controversy involving Hawker Britton?
The article reports an allegation that a $1,000-plus Christmas drinks tab at a Carlton pub was paid from money donated to Victorian Young Labor by MPs, unions and the lobbying firm Hawker Britton. A document alleges Young Labor president Michael de Bruyn and junior vice-president Kali Watson arranged to use funds donated for the production of the group's Beacon magazine to cover the bill. Hawker Britton director Danny Pearson emailed expressing "profound disappointment" and said the company would be "reconsidering supporting Victorian Young Labor in the future" if its funds were used.
Did Victorian Young Labor admit using donated funds for the bar tab?
No. Michael de Bruyn told the writer the issue would be resolved at next Thursday's executive meeting, said "there are no dramas" and insisted the bill did not exceed $1,000. Both Michael de Bruyn and Kali Watson also stated that no Young Labor money was spent on drinks.
Who are the key people and organisations named in the donation dispute?
The article names Victorian Young Labor president Michael de Bruyn and junior vice-president Kali Watson; Hawker Britton (a lobbying firm part‑owned by former minister David White) and its director Danny Pearson; MPs and unions who allegedly donated; Joe de Bruyn (national secretary of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association) as Michael's father; and Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz (for whom Michael is a staffer).
What did Hawker Britton say about its future support for Victorian Young Labor?
Danny Pearson, a Hawker Britton director, emailed a Young Labor member saying that if Hawker Britton's funds were used for the bar tab he would like to "express my profound disappointment" and that the company would be "reconsidering supporting Victorian Young Labor in the future."
What is Beacon magazine and how does it feature in the dispute?
Beacon is the Young Labor publication mentioned in the article. The allegation is that money donated to the group for the production of Beacon magazine was used to pay the pub tab; Young Labor leaders have denied that happened.
Are there other companies or events mentioned that everyday investors might recognise?
Yes. The article also mentions Myer — including a Myer fashion extravaganza at Mural Hall and Myer chief Bernie Brookes — and cultural events such as the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival portrait project (photographer Ellis Parrinder, digital artist Rufina Breskin, and Creative Production Services' Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney). These are factual mentions of brand and event activity in the story.
How can investors follow up for updates on the Young Labor bar tab story?
According to the article, Young Labor says the matter will be resolved at next Thursday's executive meeting. The piece quotes statements from Michael de Bruyn and Kali Watson and references an email from Hawker Britton director Danny Pearson. Investors seeking updates should watch for official statements from Victorian Young Labor and Hawker Britton and coverage of that executive meeting.
What should investors note about political donation disputes like the Young Labor bar tab allegation?
From the article, investors can note that disputes over the use of donated funds can prompt public responses from donors — for example, Hawker Britton signalled it would reconsider future support if its funds were misused — and that organisations involved may issue denials and plan internal resolutions (the article cites Young Labor leaders denying misuse and scheduling an executive meeting). Those are factors investors tracking reputational or governance risks around political donations may wish to monitor.
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