Diplomatic immunity! Trump appoints loudmouth Aussie ex-local councillor as US envoy to Malaysia

The Age

5 days ago

Then there's Adams' boycott of confectionary manufacturer Mars after it released 'feminist M&Ms'.
Trump certainly took the Alpha Male seriously, appointing Adams to the board of the Woodrow Wilson Centre during his first term, and making him an official campaign surrogate during the 2024 election.
And now, Adams is off to Kuala Lumpur. How his often lewd online persona is going to fly in Muslim-majority Malaysia is anyone's guess. He might give the concept of diplomatic immunity a workout before long.
Jayne, set match
Jayne Hrdlicka 's treasured time as chair of Tennis Australia will draw to a close at year's end.
But there are still treats to be had – such as an invitation to attend Wimbledon centre court and sit in the Royal Box within the orbit of Queen Camilla. Hrdlicka ascended to that most hallowed hospitality ground on Wednesday.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club's Royal Box is the most exclusive hospitality zone in global tennis, seating about 85 people, as this newspaper has reported.
There are only two ways to get in: a) an invite from the All England club's chair, Debbie Jevans, or b) a royal bloodline.
On Wednesday, Hrdlicka lucked in: Queen Camilla made an unexpected visit to the tournament.
The hospitality enclosure attracted global headlines after cameras filmed actor Hugh Grant, who attended with his wife, Anna, dozing in his seat, mere minutes after speaking with the Queen.
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Another guest was Australia's High Commissioner, His Excellency Professor The Honourable Stephen Smith, who brought along Aled Miles, chief executive of digital company Intellistack, who once had Smith on his podcast as a guest.
Also present were ex-UK prime minister Sir John Major and wife Dame Norma.
We checked in with Tennis Australia who told us that the chairs of the Grand Slam tournaments are 'traditionally' invited to the Royal Box.
It was back in October 2024 when CBD reported Hrdlicka's third term on the board would finish at the end of this year.
In December, at the organisation's annual general meeting, 'senior business leader and strategist' Chris Harrop will become chair and gain the keys to the O lounge.
O, Tennis Australia's prestigious private hospitality suite in Rod Laver Arena that leads directly to the best seats on centre court, is where Hrdlicka held her own court for so many years.
On January 1, Hrdlicka starts as chief executive of Endeavour, owner of Dan Murphy's, BWS and a pub chain, which has more than 30,000 employees.
Hrdlicka will earn annual salary of $2 million, with short-term and long-term incentives totalling $7 million.
'Endeavour Group has much to play for,' Hrdlicka said when her job was announced in April.
As always, tennis was on her mind.
State versus mate
The rugby league State of Origin decider resulted in an all-too-familiar Blues (that's the NSW team) choking at the hands of the Maroons who simply tried harder.
High above the action on the turf, the biggest game in town played out at Accor Stadium's version of the Royal Box, where the King of Sydney Peter V'landys (technically chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission and Racing NSW chief executive) sat beside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Or rather, Albanese sat next to V'landys.
Last year, Albo signed a deal to bring an NRL expansion team to Papua New Guinea in an act of footy diplomacy to counter Chinese influence that was the subject of furious lobbying by V'landys. His new Labor mate, NSW Premier Chris Minns, was a notable absence from the box, the devout Doggies fan prioritising family over footy (huh?) and enjoying a holiday in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Queensland Liberal National man of the people, Premier David Crisafulli, Instagrammed the heck out of the event.
Back in the king's court, federal Opposition Leader Sussan 'I'm here with my tall skinny mate' Ley, mingled with Liberal prime minister emeritus John Howard, still sporting that massive bruise on his eye we first told you about months ago. Ley was fresh from revelations she had once quoted the 'skinny mate' line while waving a gun at a male bushie who had once laid down next to her outback sleeping bag – clearly not with the intent to discuss quota policies for female MPs.
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News Corp boss Michael Miller stepped out with a huge new white beard, serving Castaway and eccentric tech guru vibes.
One jumping for joy spectator was ex-Queensland premier turned Rugby League commissioner Peter Beattie. Stout Queensland loyalist Beattie, along with his wife, Heather, now calls Sydney's Balmain home. Funny old world, sometimes.