A very important and amusing detail has emerged about the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns attending shock jock Kyle Sandilands’ wedding to Tegan Kynaston in 2023.
I know what you’re thinking, wasn’t that ages ago? The answer is yes and, sure, many things have happened since.
Abbie Chatfield and Adam Hyde hard-launched their relationship (and have since told us every single detail about it).
Robert Irwin has started posing shirtless a lot (like heaps, he is entering bra boy territory), and went on to win Dancing with the Stars.
I would be remiss and insensitive not to mention the devastating news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Australia’s sweethearts – even if Urban is technically a Kiwi – also announced their divorce.
It has been a long time since any of us has ever thought about Sandilands having an extravagant wedding and tying the knot with his long-time love.
Still, there’s new information about the event that deserves our attention.
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I am here to remind you that a semi-scandal erupted at the time because both Albo and Minns attended the shock jock’s lavish wedding.
The elected politicians taking time out of their busy schedules to attend Sandilands’ wedding was seen as controversial.
It may have also been a slightly slow news week in politics, but anyway, the criticism stemmed from the fact that Sandilands is not known for his squeaky-clean image.
Just today on-air, Sandilands was joking about buying cocaine in the past, and even Jackie O, who is well versed in his candour, joked that she “forgot” he doesn’t bother to hide such things.
Albo addressed the criticism at the time and defended his decision to attend, arguing that, “I’d said I’d go, and I keep my commitments”, pointing out that self-made Sandilands is an “Australian success story” and he was there to celebrate a loving relationship.
It is worth mentioning too that the PM is a frequent guest on The Kyle and Jackie O, and often goes on Sydney’s number one breakfast show to campaign and discuss policy.
Minns has also made several appearances on the popular radio program, and discussed everything from tolls on roads to salaries for teachers.
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Anyway, I was a guest on The Kyle and Jackie O Show today, and when the subject of Christmas presents came up, I asked Sandilands if Albanese had given him a wedding gift.
Surely one of Australia’s most well-paid entertainers isn’t doing a wishing well, which is where you politely beg for money off your nearest and dearest.
Sandilands shared that he actually had a wedding registry for the occasion, so people could see what the shock jock and his new bride wanted.
The radio star then revealed that Albo actually went halves in a present with his political mate, Minns.
Yes, the boys decided to put in for a wedding present.
If you’re thinking this is because the political Labor bros were splashing out on a big-ticket item and wanted to lessen the cost – we are in a cost-of-living crisis, after all – you would be wrong.
“Albo and the NSW Premier together bought me a star in a galaxy far away. You know one of those where you get a certificate?” Sandilands revealed.
Sandilands is not talking in metaphors.
You can buy a star for someone and have it named after them, which might sound lavish, but it is actually a very affordable gift.
According to starnameregistor.com.au, you can buy a mate a star for as little as $39.99, but that only gets you a digital certificate.
If Albo and Minns sprung for a printed-out certificate that would have cost $59.95, and if they went the extra mile and got it framed, that would cost $99.00.
The most expensive option is star that also comes with a necklace and a box and that will set you back $299.
So, at most, the political powerhouses, who are both on well over $400,000-a-year salaries, spent $150 each, but Sandilands didn’t mention a necklace, so it was probably more like $50.
Which, I’ll say it, is a bit cheeky and cheap!
Surely they could have pooled their funds and bought some boring but tasteful crystal glasses from David Jones like the rest of us do when we don’t know what to buy people.
It is low-stakes information but also pretty fun to know.
Were Albo and Minns texting trying to work out what to get the man that has everything?
Who came up with the idea of a star? Did one of them secretly think it was a sh*t gift but was too polite to say no? Who suggested going halves?
Was one secretly resentful because they thought of the idea and the other was one piggybacking off it? Like a forgetful younger sibling on Father’s Day.
So many questions and so many fake scenarios to imagine.
News.com.au has reached out to both Minns and Albanese for comment, but at the time of publication, had not received a response.
I guess, at the end of the day, we’re all just stuck trying to work out what to buy people on their wedding and toeing the line between not wanting to overspend or underspend, and not even a political career can save you from that kind of mental gymnastics.
After Sandilands revealed this titbit, I pounced.
“I hope this doesn’t take them down … because they are like using ‘taxpayer funds’ by buying a controversial shock jock a star in a galaxy,” I joked.
Sandilands, in true Sandilands style, was also amused.
“I hope the taxpayer paid for it,” he quipped.
Read related topics:Anthony Albanese
