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<\/p>\nCBD was lucky enough to get an early sneak peek at this year\u2019s finished abodes. But because we\u2019re no fan of spoilers (and also because of a strict embargo laid down by Nine \u2013 which is also our owner), we can\u2019t say too much. Let\u2019s just say that they look like a million bucks.<\/p>\n
The media preview revealed an unexpected guest: federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King was spotted touring the five new properties with a practised eye. The federal member for Ballarat admitted she is an occasional Blockhead and even chimed in with some interior design tips. \u201cBurgundy is the colour of the season,\u201d she mused while strolling around one main bedroom. <\/p>\n
Stalwart host Scott Cam, who lived in Daylesford for three months during production, served as a walking tour guide, singing the praises of the local area.<\/p>\n
He eagerly informed CBD about the nearby Hepburn Mineral Springs reserve and shared his favourite dishes at local pub The Farmers Arms (the smoked trout and the gruyere croquettes are both winners, if you were wondering).<\/p>\n
But when it came to questions about how this year\u2019s renovations would do on auction day, Cam remained tight-lipped. You never know in this market.<\/p>\n
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Reality TV fans will recall that Adrian Portelli, aka Lambo Guy (although his favourite supercar is actually a McLaren), paid $15.03 million last season to scoop up all five of the Phillip Island renos on offer.<\/p>\n
But CBD hears he\u2019s been quietly asked not to make an appearance this year. Truly, the end of an era.<\/p>\n
Notes on a Scandal<\/p>\n
Everything is connected. This weekend, tech billionaire Richard White was dragged into the sordid scandal that has shredded what little remains of the reputation of former Labor leader Mark Latham.<\/p>\n
Last week Latham was accused by former partner Nathalie Matthews of domestic abuse, including allegations he defecated on her during sex and drove his car at her. The NSW upper house MP denies the claims.<\/p>\n
White, the \u201cLinkedIn lecher\u201d, was accused by multiple women of trading business advice for sex, and has been punished by being promoted to executive chairman of his logistics software company WiseTech Global after staging a successful boardroom coup.<\/p>\n
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The \u201cLinkedIn lecher\u201d Richard White.Credit: Bloomberg<\/p>\n
In texts revealed by the News Corp papers, Latham urged Matthews to \u201cget the compo NDA\u201d from White after the allegations against him surfaced last year. When White regained control of his company earlier this year, Latham suggested Matthews perform oral sex on him to celebrate.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no suggestion that White and Matthews had any sexual relationship. The pair\u2019s paths crossed last year at the International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia\u2019s national conference in Cairns, where Matthews interviewed White about cyber-security in a video posted to LinkedIn.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to build multiple ways of defending yourself,\u201d White told Matthews.<\/p>\n
Indeed.<\/p>\n
Last week, Latham\u2019s lawyer, Zali Burrows, sought to subpoena messages between White and Matthews as part of his defence against her private apprehended violence order.<\/p>\n