Save
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
AAA
What is it with politicians and pop stars this week? First we had PM Anthony Albanese and his tawdry “shag, marry, date” remarks about pop princess Kylie Minogue.
Now, One Nation firebrand Pauline Hanson has been snapped having a beer with former pop performer turned outspoken cheerleader for the UK’s Reform party Holly Valance. Hanson described the forthright anti-woke campaigner as “my mate”, despite it being the first time they had met in person.
Holly Valance and Pauline Hanson having a beer in the UK.Instagram/@ senatorpaulinehanson
Melbourne-born Valance may have found fame as a soap star on Neighbours, but she has morphed into a celebrity in right-wing political circles in the UK and in the US in recent years, along with her billionaire property developer husband, Nick Candy, from whom she separated in mid-2025.
Valance was photographed with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 2022 and counts Nigel Farage as a close friend. She told GB News that year that “everyone starts as a lefty”, but “wakes up … then realises what crap ideas they all are”.
As fits with her political stance, Valance is an admirer of Hanson, telling The Karl Stefanovic Show last month, “I’m really behind her. I think she’s amazing.”
Valance and Hanson at Blenheim Palace.Instagram/@senatorpaulinehanson
Earlier this year Valance even rerecorded her biggest hit, Kiss Kiss, renaming it Kiss Kiss (XX) My Arse to promote Hanson’s satirical film, A Super Progressive Movie.
So, when the pair caught up in the English countryside they no doubt had a lot to talk about.
Hanson and Valance spent a day sightseeing at Blenheim Palace before having a beer at The Farmer’s Dog, a pub in Oxfordshire owned by Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame.
Related Article
“While here in England, I took some time out to catch up with Holly Valance who has been a staunch backer of true conservatives both here in the UK and myself in Australia,” Hanson tapped out on her verified Instagram account on Wednesday, alongside happy snaps of the pair’s day out.
“We visited Blenheim Palace for a wonderful private tour of this enormously historic beauty in Woodstock before stopping off at the Farmers Dog for lunch and a few of Jeremy’s beers. What a wonderful day!”
Can’t wait to see who is next to end up on Hanson’s grid.
Libs’ rogue roadworks stunt survives investigation
An investigation into a social media stunt showing member for Nepean Anthony Marsh and state Opposition Leader Jess Wilson appearing to take pothole road repairs into their own hands in Dromana earlier this year has been quietly wrapped up.
The investigation by Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning into possible unauthorised roadwork activities was sparked after a complaint was received by the department over a video posted to Wilson’s social media in March during campaigning for the Nepean byelection. Marsh won the seat.
Jess Wilson and Anthony Marsh in an Instagram clip from March showing them preparing to fill a pothole in Dromana.Instagram/@jesswilsonmp
In the slick clip, a high-vis-vest-wearing Wilson says, “Again, it seems like Jacinta Allan can’t do her job, so we’re going to do it for her”, while she and Marsh, also in an orange high-vis vest, are seen filling in a pothole.
The pothole issue was a hot topic locally, even being addressed by Mornington Peninsula Shire chief executive Mark Stoermer at the council’s March meeting, during which he urged people not to take road repairs into their own hands.
Related Article
“Council does not support members of the public undertaking repair works on live public roads,” Stoermer said at the meeting.
“I am going to stress that that is a very dangerous thing to do.”
CBD checked in with the department to find out if pothole-gate was still rumbling along, only to find the investigation had been concluded without fanfare and no further action was required.
While the department was not forthcoming with a comment on the Libs’ social media fun and games, it is a given that road works are a serious business and any work undertaken on roads and road sides needs to be done properly.
Meanwhile, the post remains on Wilson’s social media platforms. Her office was contacted for comment.
V’landys in prime company
Rugby league kingpin Peter V’landys will no doubt have been riding high heading into Wednesday evening, after getting Nine, owner of this masthead, and Foxtel, to beat the $5 billion valuation he’d set for the fresh NRL broadcast rights deal inked this week.
It wasn’t all cash, of course. But we doubt that detail will shorten V’landys’ victory lap. With the NRL broadcast rights now settled, the chatter in sporting and media circles heading into Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider was focused elsewhere. Namely, the looming prospect of V’landys’ ascension to the all-powerful role of rugby league executive chairman, following the departure of NRL chief Andrew Abdo.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’Landys.Dominic Lorrimer
Only fitting, then, that the $5.3 billion man of the moment could look forward to keeping the company of a gaggle of prime ministers while basking in the afterglow.
V’landys was set to again hold court with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heading into Wednesday evening’s game in Brisbane, just weeks after the pair were seen hobnobbing at game two in Melbourne. Also expected to rub shoulders with V’landys were Lord Fakafanua, the prime minister of Tonga; Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt, the prime minister of Samoa; and PNG PM James Marape. After a big day being recalled from holiday to deal with the Telstra outage, CBD hears Sports Minister Anika Wells decided to give Origin three a miss.
Save
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
Fiona Byrne is the CBD columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
John Buckley is a CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.From our partners