Political storm erupts over Anthony Albanese DJing at Kyle Sandilands’ wedding

The federal opposition has criticized Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his plan to DJ at Kyle Sandilands’ wedding this weekend.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mr Albanese confirmed he will be attending Sandilands wedding to Tegan Kynaston on Saturday along with the likes of Today Show presenter Karl Stefanovic and wife Jasmin, Kings Cross nightclub identity John Ibrahim, singer Guy Sebastian and NSW Premier Chris Minutes .

Mr Albanese noted that he was not in charge of the invitation list and went on to describe Sandilands as an Australian success story.

“A chap who was once homeless and lived on the streets of Sydney and has grown into someone who is an important public figure is part of what is an Australian success story,” he said.

Mr Albanese has made a public commitment to DJing at the reception – declaring on Sandilands radio show last year ‘that’s on! … I keep my promises.’

Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley criticized Mr Albanese’s priorities in a statement, saying: “There is nothing wrong with going to a friend’s wedding, but it is curious that the Prime Minister thinks he has a few days before his first proper budget can take a day off.

“Australians will rightly wonder whether the Prime Minister should play cards on a million dollar wedding if people can’t afford their rent.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be the DJ at the wedding reception, with his partner Jodie Haydon as plus-one

Some of the most influential Australians in media and politics will attend Kyle Sandilands' wedding to Tegan Kynaston on Saturday - including the Prime Minister

Some of the most influential Australians in media and politics will attend Kyle Sandilands’ wedding to Tegan Kynaston on Saturday – including the Prime Minister

She continued: “It cannot be right for the Prime Minister to sit back tomorrow as aged care residents are evicted from their homes because of the failure of his government.”

Daily Mail Australia has requested a response from Mr Albanese’s office to Ms Ley’s criticism.

The Prime Minister’s presence is also a sign of the influence of the Kyle and Jackie O show – long the top rated FM breakfast program in Sydney, and often in general on both FM and AM.

The political storm erupted after Daily Mail Australia exclusively released details of the guest list earlier this week.

Mr Albanese will join other prominent Australians at the ceremony, including the colorful former paparazzo-turned-mayor of Geelong Darryn Lyons; boxer Jeff Fenech and his wife Suzee; NRL player turned TV presenter Beau Ryan and wife Kara; and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, a longtime Sandilands radio host, who brings her 12-year-old daughter, Kitty.

The musical will feature Guy Sebastian – who has been friends with Sandilands for nearly two decades – as well as Samantha Jade and Conrad Sewell.

The total cost of the ceremony is rumored to be around $1 million, and the couple locked up the beautiful Swifts landmark home for the occasion.

The Late Victorian Gothic Revival Mansion, at Darling Point, hhosting a number of prestigious events for Sydney’s elite over the years.

Socialite Nadia Fairfax married financier Michael Wayne there in 2021.

Owned by Shane and Penelope Moran of the Moran Health Care Group family, the $60 million home was built between 1876 and 1883 and features 56 rooms, beautiful grounds, and harbor views.

Some of the most influential Australians in media and politics will attend Sandilands wedding to Kynaston on Saturday - including the Prime Minister.  The exclusive guest list includes Today host Karl Stefanovic (right) and his wife Jasmine (left).

The exclusive guest list, shared with Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, includes Today presenter Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine

Kings Cross nightclub identity John Ibrahim and his model girlfriend Sarah Budge will be in attendance

Kings Cross nightclub identity John Ibrahim and his model girlfriend Sarah Budge will be in attendance

The musical guests include Guy Sebastian (pictured with his wife Jules, who is also present)

The musical guests include Guy Sebastian (pictured with his wife Jules, who is also present)

NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns will also be in attendance with his wife Anna

NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns will also be in attendance with his wife Anna

Kyle and Tegan’s wedding guest list

  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon
  • NSW Prime Minister Chris Minns and wife Anna
  • Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic
  • Guy and Jules Sebastian
  • John Ibrahim and Sarah Budge
  • Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and daughter Kitty
  • Jeff Fenech and wife Suzee
  • Darryn Lyons
  • Beau and Kara Ryan
  • Conrad Sewell and fiancé Jasmine Hingston
  • Samantha Jade and husband Pat Handlin

The house was originally built by beer baron Sir Robert Lucas Lucas-Tooth in 1882 and was owned by the Roman Catholic Church, who ‘whitewashed’ the facade of the building.

Speaking The Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this weekSandilands revealed the exorbitant amount he had spent on his upcoming wedding.

He spent an estimated $1 million on the wedding, which is his second after marrying Tamara Jaber in 2010 (they divorced two years later).

On Monday’s broadcast, Sandilands and his co-host Henderson challenged listeners to guess the cost of specific elements of the wedding in a game called “Higher or Lower.”

‘Do you know where I made the mistake? When I first met the wedding planner and wedding stylist… they said, “Okay, what budget are we on?” and I said, ‘There’s no budget,'” Sandilands said at the beginning of the segment.

One of the most expensive features was the floral arrangements, which cost a whopping $150,000.

Henderson, who spent just $80,000 on her marriage to ex-husband Lee in the early 2000s, was stunned by the price tag and asked Sandilands, “150,000 for something that dies a few days later?”

“Well, everybody can take home flowers and stuff,” Sandilands shrugged.

Kynaston’s wedding dress cost just under $50,000, while the bridal party and pageboy suits cost more than $15,000.

Jackie 'O' Henderson, a longtime Sandilands radio host, brings her 12-year-old daughter Kitty

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, a longtime Sandilands radio host, brings her 12-year-old daughter Kitty

The total cost of the ceremony is rumored to be around $1 million, and the couple locked up the beautiful Swifts landmark home for the occasion

The total cost of the ceremony is rumored to be around $1 million, and the couple locked up the beautiful Swifts landmark home for the occasion

Singer Samantha Jade will be in attendance with her husband Pat Handlin, and will also perform

Singer Samantha Jade will be in attendance with her husband Pat Handlin, and will also perform

Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this week, Sandilands revealed the exorbitant amount he had spent on his upcoming nuptials

Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this week, Sandilands revealed the exorbitant amount he had spent on his upcoming nuptials

Breakdown of Kyle and Tegan’s wedding costs

  • Floral Arrangements: $150,000
  • Wedding Dress: $50,000
  • Entertainment: over $100,000
  • Styling: $250,000
  • Catering (staff/alcohol not included): $75,000
  • Costumes: over $15,000
  • Invitations: $10,000
  • Security: Less than $120,000
  • Videographer/Photographer: $80,000
  • Wedding Cake: $8,000
  • Organ player: $3,000
  • Wedding rings: a wedding gift from House of K’dor

The entertainment, including renting multiple stages, audio equipment, and sound trucks, cost more than $100,000.

Sandilands also hired several instrumentalists, saying, “There are saxophone guys, there are string quartets. It’s something big.’

Sandilands clarified that he actually saved money on the artist fees, as his pop star friends Guy Sebastian, Conrad Sewell and Samantha Jade had agreed to perform for free.

The wedding stylist’s fee was less than $250,000, while the food — which included an oyster bar and caviar — cost less than $75,000.

Sandilands revealed he spent less than $120,000 on security details, including 15 private security guards and members of the NSW and federal police.

The combined cost of the videographer and photographer was less than $80,000, while the wedding invitations cost less than $15,000.

Sandilands also said his wedding cake, which he described as a “five-tiered monster,” cost more than $8,000.

A live organist also set the couple back $3,000.

However, there was one detail that Sandilands received as a special gift: the couple’s wedding rings.

Sandilands confirmed that the famous jeweler House of K’dor gave the rings as a wedding gift to say thank you for being a long time customer.

Sandilands proposed to Kynaston in January last year while on holiday in Port Douglas. The couple welcomed a son, Otto, in August.

Kynaston is director of communications for Sandilands’ company King Kyle Pty Ltd.

Sandilands proposed to Kynaston in January last year while on holiday in Port Douglas.  The couple welcomed a son, Otto, in August

Sandilands proposed to Kynaston in January last year while on holiday in Port Douglas. The couple welcomed a son, Otto, in August

The couple made their romance public on New Year’s Eve in 2019, when Kynaston shared a photo of herself kissing Kyle in front of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Two months earlier, she had denied rumors that she was in a relationship with the KIIS FM presenter.

Sandilands started dating Kynaston after his split from his long-term girlfriend Imogen Anthony.

Sandilands started dating Kynaston after his split from his long-term girlfriend Imogen Anthony (pictured together in Sydney on Nov 26, 2014)

Sandilands started dating Kynaston after his split from his long-term girlfriend Imogen Anthony (pictured together in Sydney on Nov 26, 2014)