NSW Premier Chris Minns fires back at critics who say he shouldn’t be attending Kyle Sandilands wedding due to colorful guest list – including convicted drug trafficker witness
NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns has dismissed critics who say he and his wife Anna should not attend Kyle Sandilands’ wedding to Tegan Kynaston on Saturday.
The politician’s office fired back in response to press inquiries about the appropriateness of a state leader rubbing shoulders with certain colorful guests — namely, convicted drug trafficker Simon Main, Sandilands’ witness.
Minns is not the only legislator on the guest list, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also serving as a DJ at the reception, with his partner Jodie Haydon as plus-one.
Other notable names in attendance include presenter Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine; Kings Cross nightclub identity John Ibrahim and his model girlfriend Sarah Budge; and singer Guy Sebastian and his stylistic wife Jules.
When asked about the guest list on Friday, the Minns office told the The Sydney Morning Herald: ‘When you go to a wedding, do you know every guest? Or do you know the bride and groom?’
NSW Labor Prime Minister Chris Minns (pictured) has dismissed critics who say he and wife Anna should not attend Kyle Sandilands wedding to Tegan Kynaston on Saturday
Simon Main, who once worked as Liza Minnelli’s personal assistant, was imprisoned in Italy in 2000 for his role in an attempt to sell 333,000 ecstasy pills worth $10 million.
At a press conference on Friday, Mr Albanese confirmed he would be attending Sandilands wedding in Kynaston on Saturday, noting 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.
Kyle Sandilands and his fiancée Tegan Kynaston are getting married in Sydney on Saturday
Sandilands (far left) is seen here next to Simon Main, who was jailed in 2000 for ecstasy trafficking. ‘King of Kings Cross’ John Ibrahim is pictured second from the right
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.”
Minns isn’t the only legislator on the guest list, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) also set to DJ at the reception, with his partner Jodie Haydon as plus-one
The presence of the Prime Minister and Prime Minister is a sign of the influence of the Kyle and Jackie O show – long the top rated FM breakfast program in Sydney, and often overall on both FM and AM spectra.
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 boxed in the stunning $60 million monumental house swifts for the occasion.
The late Victorian Gothic Revival mansion in Darling Point has hosted a number of prestigious events for Sydney’s elite over the years.
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