From Myer AGM to the Middle East

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Leibler meanwhile is off to Israel with a delegration led by the Zionist Federation of Australia (an organisation of which he became the president late last year).

According to our sources, the delegation is something of an all-star lineup.

Former prime minister John Howard will join the trip, as will former Labor treasurer turned party president Wayne Swan, former foreign minister turned High Commissioner in London turned Donald Trump nemesis Alexander Downer, Labor powerbroker Stephen Conroy and outgoing Australian War Memorial director Brendan Nelson.

A meeting with Israeli Prime Minister (at time of print) Benjamin Netanyahu is on the agenda, as is a sit-down with his opposition rival (at time of print) Benny Gantz.

Those meetings may have to take a back-seat depending on how unity talks between the two men — the latest attempt to break a months-long political stalemate — progress.

Notwithstanding that wait, the official cocktail party tonight will hear from Howard, former opposition leader Isaac Herzog and the Australian Ambassador to Israel Chris Cannan.

Still, even a quick trip to the Middle East is bound to be more peaceful than the Myer AGM.

LOWY LOBBIES, HINTZE HELPS

Former Operation Sovereign Borders special envoy Jim Molan may have picked up Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s approval for another stint in the Senate, but that hasn’t stopped a number of no-chance candidates picking up fancy referees of their own.

Good on them, we reckon.

There’s neurologist Robin Fitzsimons — who despite living in Killara is a member of the Double Bay branch and has disclosed an “extremely brief” membership in the Democratic Labor Party — with the backing not only Sydney University vice-chancellor Michael Spence but also London-based Conservative Party patron Michael Hintze.

The billionaire financier apparently attended Sydney University with Dr Fitzsimons.

Molan has secured not only Morrison and Howard, but the backing of 2GB breakfast host Alan Jones who writes the retired major general “has a manly sense of the fitness of things”.

Meanwhile, St Vincent’s Hospital cardiologist Michael Feneley — who moonlights as a cattle rancher past Oberon selling his family’s Titania Chestnut Fed Beef — has secured the endorsement of Westfield billionaire Sir Frank Lowy and rich-lister Charles Curran.

“I cannot recommend him to your more highly, and hope that he is successful in his bid to be selected as a Liberal candidate for the Senate,” Sir Frank wrote to preselectors.

We reckon the Prime Minister is hoping otherwise.

COUNTING NUMBERS

Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys will be keeping a close eye on which Macquarie Street figures appear at Rosehill on Saturday, and we understand the message is being heard loud and clear.

Except, err, when it comes to former premier Barry O’Farrell who’s informed this column he intends to be in Flemington for Bleak City’s festivities at the Victoria Derby on Saturday.

Will Victoria Racing Club chairwoman Amanda Elliott let this one slide the next time she decides to have a spray at V’landys? We wait with anticipation.

At least O’Farrell has an excuse. He’s Racing Australia chief executive after all.

“I was front centre at the Everest and I’ll be front centre at Derby Day too,” he told CBD.

But two Spring Carnival Birdcage regulars — Foreign Minister Marise Payne and state Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres — appear to have fallen for the V’landys charm.

They are, if our sources are to be believed, trading out their Derby Day Tabcorp invites to be guests of Racing NSW at Saturday’s Golden Eagle in Rosehill. That, or their double booked.

IN THE LOUNGE

Spotted heading to Japan for the Rugby World Cup last Friday: News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller with Hoyts chief executive Damian Keogh.

Also en route, we hear, are former Wallabies captain John Eales, News Corp Australia executive Damian Eales (his brother) and Centuria chief Jason Huljich.

But having earlier considered a trip to Yokohama, Wilson Asset Management boss Geoff Wilson is no longer interested. “Unfortunately I didn’t have to worry about booking a flight to Japan due to the Wallabies performance,” he told CBD.

Perhaps there will be a last minute ticket for rugby tragic Myer boss John King after all.

Kylar Loussikian is The Sydney Morning Herald’s CBD columnist.

Samantha is the The Age’s CBD columnist. She recently covered Victorian and NSW politics and business for News Corp, and previously worked for the Australian Financial Review.

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