Albanese, Ley charity auction: Tennis match with PM or lunch with Opposition Leader up for grabs

Tennis with the Prime Minister, a flight to a pub lunch with the Opposition Leader or dinner with the nation’s economic leaders are up for grabs in an annual charity auction.

The Midwinter Ball and its auction have raised more than $5.5 million for charity over the past 25 years.

Australia’s political leaders have donated their time and themselves for the cause as the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery hopes to set another record amount raised this year, with bidding open to everyone.

Keen tennis player Anthony Albanese is offering a game on the court at the Lodge with generous refreshments for four people.

Sussan Ley – who flew herself to Canberra for this week’s sitting of Parliament – has promised to take two people flying to a mystery location for a classic pub lunch.

Meanwhile, the ministers holding the nation’s purse strings, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, are offering dinner for four companions, and independent senator David Pocock is seeking a plus-one to accompany him to a fundraising dinner for a “people’s lobbyist”.

The perennially popular prizes of return business class flights to LA or London, and an NRL grand final are also expected to be hot items again this year.

Bidding closes at 3pm AWST (5pm AEST) on Wednesday, August 27. Full details are at galabid.com/midwinterball.