‘He wants a huge one, with every man and his dog’: Tony Abbott invites over 1,000 of Australia’s biggest names to attend his exclusive tribute dinner
- More than 1000 guests will attend tribute dinner for former PM Tony Abbott
- Guest list includes current and former prime ministers, premiers and staff
- Noticeable absence from guest list is former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott will enjoy a memorable send-off when a lavish farewell dinner is held in his honour next week.
The guest list for the elaborate tribute dinner at upmarket boutique venue Miramare Gardens on Sydney’s northern beaches has ballooned from 700 to more than 1000 guests who were willing to pay the $130 per head ticket price.
A who’s who of the Liberal Party will attend the November 7 shindig from current and former prime ministers to past and present premiers, who will join former staff of the long serving federal MP booted out of politics by his constituents earlier this year.
More than 1000 guests will attend a tribute dinner for Tony Abbott at Miramare Gardens
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with wife Jenny) headlines the growing guest list
‘We are having to move the tables a lot closer together,’ one organiser told The Sunday Telegraph.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former prime minister John Howard will headline the guest list and will be joined by federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, along with controversial ministers Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also made the cut while her predecessor Mike Baird has also RSVPed to attend.
Many of Mr Abbott’s old staff will also honour their former boss, including former chief of staff turned Sky News host Peta Credin and federal Liberal director Andrew Hirst.
Other profile guests include barrister Margaret Cunneen SC and radio broadcaster Alan Jones, who will MC the event.
Mr Abbott’s former chief of staff Peta Credlin will also attend the dinner for her former boss
There’s also no mention of former federal deputy leader Julie Bishop or former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, the man who successfully challenged Mr Abbott for the leadership in 2015.
Next week’s dinner will pay tribute to Mr Abbott’s 25 years in federal politics after the long-standing Warringah MP lost his seat to independent rival Zali Steggall at the last federal election in May.
‘Abbott wants a huge one with every man and his dog,’ a Liberal source told The Sunday Telegraph earlier this month.
The dinner will pay tribute to former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s 25 years in federal politics
The dinner will be held at Miramare Gardens a boutique venue on Sydney’s northern beaches
Based in Terry Hills, Miramare Gardens is described on its website as Sydney’s best-kept secret with a stunning grand ballroom, immaculate gardens and indoor and outdoor function spaces to suit every occasion.
The upmarket venue recently hosted the wedding reception for boxing legend Jeff Fenech’s eldest daughter Jessica.
Following recent life-saving heart surgery in Thailand, Fenech risked his life to return home at the eleventh hour to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Radio host Alan Jones will MC the tribute dinner, which are a long standing party tradition