Veteran radio host Alan Jones turned down Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch’s invitation to their exclusive Christmas party because he had a very important prior engagement – dinner with a former Prime Minister.
Jones, 80, was invited to attend the glittering bash along with high-rollers from showbiz, politics, media, business and sport at the News Corp co-chairman’s mansion home in Sydney’s upmarket Bellevue Hill on Thursday.
But the former Sky News Australia host was a notable absence from the shindig, despite being invited, even though his TV show had been dumped by the News Corp-owned channel.
Jones had previously attacked Sky for ‘cancelling’ him.
On Friday though, at a media event revealing he will start a digital TV show from next week, Mr Jones insisted his diary was simply full.
Veteran radio host Alan Jones (pictured at the launch of his new online TV show on Friday) denied he snubbed Sydney’s media powerbrokers when he was a no-show for Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch’s exclusive Christmas party on Thursday night
![Alan Jones (pictured left) insisted he simply had a prior engagement of dinner 'with a former Prime Minister', believed to be Tony Abbott (pictured right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/03/51577767-10294989-image-m-44_1639105671549.jpg)
Alan Jones (pictured left) insisted he simply had a prior engagement of dinner ‘with a former Prime Minister’, believed to be Tony Abbott (pictured right)
‘That is one of the values Australians must honour,’ he told Daily Mail Australia at the launch of his new social media-based show, Alan Jones Direct To The People. ‘If you have a commitment you must meet it.
‘I had a commitment to have dinner with a former Prime Minister last night so I made that commitment.
‘I explained that to Lachlan. It wasn’t as reported – there were no belligerent projections. I have nothing negative to say about Sky News. I enjoyed my time there.’
The Murdoch soiree is the annual end-of-year gathering for friends to the News Corp world down under – and its biggest stars.
Home and Away and Nova radio star Kate Ritchie, Qantas boss Alan Joyce, Atlassian founder and billionaire Scott Farquhar topped the prestigious guest list.
![Luxe look: Nova's drivetime radio host Kate Ritchie was seen making her way to the high profile event, she looked sophisticated in a chic black dress, and added a touch of luxury with a Chanel purse and matching espadrille heels](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51535809-0-Luxe_look_Nova_s_drivetime_radio_host_Kate_Ritchie_was_seen_maki-a-32_1639102640120.jpg)
Luxe look: Nova’s drivetime radio host Kate Ritchie was seen making her way to the high profile event, she looked sophisticated in a chic black dress, and added a touch of luxury with a Chanel purse and matching espadrille heels
![Lachlan Murdoch and wife Sarah were the hosts of the evening's A-list event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51537093-0-Lachlan_Murdoch_and_wife_Sarah_were_the_hosts_of_the_evening_s_A-a-17_1639102639886.jpg)
Lachlan Murdoch and wife Sarah were the hosts of the evening’s A-list event
![High profile shindig! Nova's Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli and his wife Lisa led the high profile arrivals for an exclusive Christmas drinks hosted by Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch in Sydney on Thursday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51535743-0-High_profile_shindig_Nova_s_Michael_Wippa_Wipfli_and_his_wife_Li-a-18_1639102639887.jpg)
High profile shindig! Nova’s Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli and his wife Lisa led the high profile arrivals for an exclusive Christmas drinks hosted by Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch in Sydney on Thursday
Some of the biggest names in Australian media attended too, including Sky boss Paul Whittaker, Sky News stars Peter Stefanovic, Chris Kenny, Paul Murray and Sharri Markson and top News Corp executives Siobhan McKenna and Michael Miller.
One of the big talking points for guests would have been the day’s shock news of a proposed royal commission-style inquiry into media diversity in Australia.
The influence of the Murdoch empire is firmly in the sights of the a year-long Senate inquiry into media diversity, led by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
The Greens and Labor senators recommended a judicial inquiry with the powers of a royal commission into media diversity, ownership and regulation.
![Pictured: The Murdoch's palatial home in Sydney's east. Party host Lachlan Murdoch is the co-chairman of Sky's parent company News Corp](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51525839-0-Pictured_The_Murdoch_s_palatial_home_in_Sydney_s_east_Party_host-a-19_1639102639888.jpg)
Pictured: The Murdoch’s palatial home in Sydney’s east. Party host Lachlan Murdoch is the co-chairman of Sky’s parent company News Corp
![Sharri Markson, Sky News host and journalist at The Australian, added colour and glamour to the arrivals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51540061-0-Sharri_Markson_Sky_News_host_and_journalist_at_The_Australian_ad-a-20_1639102639888.jpg)
Sharri Markson, Sky News host and journalist at The Australian, added colour and glamour to the arrivals
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, taking a break from an intense year of dealing with Covid was another heavy hitter at the party, arriving with wife Nicole.
Former NRL and FFA boss David Gallop and racing and rugby league administrator Peter V’landys were also on the guest list.
Nova radio hosts Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli and Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald were on hand with their partners to enjoy drinks on a rainy December night. Nova is owned by Lachlan Murdoch’s private investment company.
Local Liberal MP Dave Sharma also attended with his wife, Rachel Lord.
But there was no sign of two major Liberal party figures – Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg – who controversially used the PM’s private jet to fly from Canberra to Sydney for the soiree last year.
![Sky News presenter Peter Stefanovic and Sky First Edition presenter Laura Jayes were also on the guest list.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51536937-0-Sky_News_presenter_Peter_Stefanovic_and_Sky_First_Edition_presen-a-22_1639102639890.jpg)
Sky News presenter Peter Stefanovic and Sky First Edition presenter Laura Jayes were also on the guest list.
![Billionaire Atlassian founder Scott Farquhar arrives at the drinks with his wife Kim Jackson](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51536945-0-Billionaire_Atlassian_founder_Scott_Farquhar_arrives_at_the_drin-a-23_1639102639891.jpg)
Billionaire Atlassian founder Scott Farquhar arrives at the drinks with his wife Kim Jackson
![Nova radio host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald was on hand with his partner to enjoy drinks on a rainy December night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51540539-0-Nova_radio_host_Ryan_Fitzy_Fitzgerald_was_on_hand_with_his_partn-a-24_1639102639891.jpg)
Nova radio host Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald was on hand with his partner to enjoy drinks on a rainy December night
It was a mixed bag dress-wise with some opting for serious business attire, others very casual and others in between.
Farquhar didn’t feel the need to impress, going ultra casual in jeans and a crew-neck jumper over a t-shirt.
Fitzy’s wife Lisa, 39, opted for an elegant, embroidered black dress with puffy sleeves, which she teamed with a $3,100 white Bottega Veneta purse.
Ritchie opted for a sophisticated black dress, and added a touch of luxury with a Chanel purse and matching espadrille heels.
Following them was Sky News’ Peter Stefanovic who dressed in a white shirt with jeans and carried his black blazer.
Alongside him was his First Edition co-host Laura Jayes who wowed in a festive red dress with a plunging neckline.
![Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (pictured left) was one of the many major powerbrokers arriving for the annual mixing of showbiz and business worlds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51540651-0-Qantas_CEO_Alan_Joyce_pictured_left_was_one_of_the_many_major_po-a-25_1639102639893.jpg)
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (pictured left) was one of the many major powerbrokers arriving for the annual mixing of showbiz and business worlds
![Sky CEO Paul Whittaker was among the guests at the News Corp Christmas party](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51539861-0-Sky_CEO_Paul_Whittaker_was_among_the_guests_at_the_Newscorp_Chri-a-26_1639102639911.jpg)
![News Corp stalwart Col Allan, the former New York Post and Daily Telegraph editor, was among the guests](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51540317-0-Newscorp_stalwart_Col_Allan_the_former_New_York_Post_and_Daily_T-a-27_1639102639912.jpg)
Sky CEO Paul Whittaker was among the guests at the Murdoch Christmas party, as was News Corp stalwart Col Allan, the former New York Post and Daily Telegraph editor
![Former FFA and NRL boss David Gallop (left) arrives at Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch's Christmas drinks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51539877-0-Former_FFA_and_NRL_boss_David_Gallop_left_arrives_at_Sarah_and_L-a-28_1639102639913.jpg)
Former FFA and NRL boss David Gallop (left) arrives at Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch’s Christmas drinks
![Racing and rugby league administrator Peter V'landys (centre) arrives ahead of News Corp boss Michael Miller (left)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51536957-0-Racing_and_rugby_league_administrator_Peter_V_landys_centre_arri-a-29_1639102639913.jpg)
Racing and rugby league administrator Peter V’landys (centre) arrives ahead of News Corp boss Michael Miller (left)
![NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, after a tough year of dealing with Covid policy, attended with his wife Nicole](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51536935-0-NSW_Health_Minister_Brad_Hazzard_after_a_tough_year_of_dealing_w-a-30_1639102639914.jpg)
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, after a tough year of dealing with Covid policy, attended with his wife Nicole
![Sky News stalwarts Chris Kenny (left) and Paul Murray (right) arrive for the big bash at Bellevue Hill](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/10/02/51540631-0-Sky_News_stalwarts_Chris_Kenny_left_and_Paul_Murray_right_arrive-a-31_1639102639915.jpg)
Sky News stalwarts Chris Kenny (left) and Paul Murray (right) arrive for the big bash at Bellevue Hill
Murdoch, the co-chairman of Sky’s parent company News Corp, and his wife Sarah hosted the annual end-of-year party at their luxurious six-bedroom home in Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s east.
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