Tesla chairRobyn Denholm formed the night’s main event in an address delivered in Sydney and beamed into Melbourne. The celebrated international IT executive who also served as a chief operating officer at Telstra reflected on her path from a family-owned service station in Sydney’s south-west to Silicon Valley and on to her role asElon Musk’schief wrangler at the Texan-based electric vehicle pioneer. Inspiring stuff.

And at the group’s first annual dinner in two years,the crowd didn’t disappoint. Former foreign ministerJulie Bishopwas unmissable in burgundy sequins sitting next to NAB chairPhil Chronican and making a beeline to warmly embrace former Liberal colleague,Social Services MinisterAnne Ruston. Across the room,former Crown Resorts chairHelen Coonan did the same to Crown directorJane Halton. ABC doyennesAnnabel Crabb,radio hostVirginia Trioli,former 730 hostLeigh Salesand newly minted news directorJustin Stevens held court as a star-power awesome foursome at the ABC’s table,while a metre away CEW chief executiveSusan Metcalfwas deep in conversation with Sex Discrimination CommissionKate Jenkinsand Wentworth independent challengerAllegra Spender. The political contender and her brotherAlex Schumannrepresented their late fashion designer and businesswoman motherCarla Zampattiwho was honoured in a tribute on the evening.

Guests are unlikely to admit it,but it was a luxe raffle raising funds for CEW’s scholarship program sending female executives to the most prestigious university programs around the world that dominated chatter,with two Qantas vouchers worth five figures and a Bulgari necklace worth $22,000 up for grabs. The jewels went to Mercer chief strategy officerSaranne Broderick. Rich lister cosmetics queen turned property investorImelda Roche scored a year of free electricity from Red Energy. Not bad.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Earlier in the evening,Roche was spotted alongside veteran businesswomanWendy McCarthyon a table of CEW’s founders who formed the advocacy group for C-suite women in 1985 as a branch of the Paris-based Women Chiefs of Enterprise. Back then,CEW started off as an informal dinner of just 18 women. A real now and then moment indeed.

HEAD TO HEAD

Coalition no-shows have dominated chatter over local candidate debates this election as Voices branches attempt to – unsuccessfully – convince Liberal and Nats MPs they’re not just a front for the independents.

But here’s a Labor no-show which is piquing our curiosity. Labor’s pugnaciousMark Butleris spoiling for a showdown on health with his Coalition counterpart. But he isn’t likely to get one after hitting an impasse with the Coalition. The National Press Club invited both Butler and outgoing Health MinisterGreg Hunt for a debate this Thursday. Labor turned it down on the basis that Hunt is outski from the portfolio. Butler wants to debate Social Services MinisterAnne Ruston instead after she was handed the responsibility for the health and aged care portfolios in the Coalition’s post-election team in April.

But that post doesn’t kick in until after polling day and for now,Hunt remains the Liberal’s point man on health. The Lib’s campaign team has also pointed out that Ruston isn’t yet Health Minister – and hey – may never get there. After all,the post-election whitewash can be a turbulent wave.

“Greg Hunt is the Minister for Health and is happy to debate Mark Butler,” a Liberal spokesman said. “The same cannot be said forCatherine King orChris Bowenwho have refused debates with the relevant minister.”

But Butler isn’t having any of it.

“There is absolutely no chance Greg Hunt will be the next Health Minister and therefore no point in debating him about health policy over the next three years,” the South Australian MP told CBD. “I have made it clear to the National Press Club that I am willing to debate Anne Ruston about future health policy at anytime between now and the election.”

Let us know how you go with that.

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