PALM trees, humidity and cane lounge chairs – there was a Gold Coast feel to Sussan Ley’s media conference to announce she was stepping aside as Health Minister.
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The member for Farrer opted to break her silence on her controversial travel to the Sunshine State in the courtyard of the Albury Club.
With sun beating down and the temperature nearing 30 degrees, the assortment of reporters, cameramen and photographers could only wish for a sea breeze.
Instead they were left to focus their eyes and lens on the rear door of Ms Ley’s office which neighbours the old gentemen’s club.
Eventually, about half an hour after the original scheduled time, the minister emerged.
She may have eschewed the colourful clobber you associate with the Gold Coast, but Ms Ley, adorned in black and white, was straight to the point.
“I want to deal with questions concerning my travel to the Gold Coast while a minister.”
From there she read a statement for 5½ minutes, revealing she had been in the market for a real estate investment for some time.
“I inspected this property for the first time, maybe 10 minutes before the auction commenced and I registered to bid,” Ms Ley said.
“I own a home here in Albury and I had gained preapproval to purchase an investment property.
“I had an idea of what I wanted and this apartment fit the bill.”
With ocean views, easy access to Sea World and a yacht club, there was certainly no chance of the southern Riverina being able to match the high rise.
But don’t let the purchase fool you into thinking, Ms Ley is planning to soon join hordes of southerners who retire to the Glitter Strip.
Asked if it was a sign she had plans to depart as member for Farrer, the Liberal MP talked up the Gold Coast as a “good place to invest”.
“It’s something for the family for later, but it certainly not a sign that I have any intention of retiring from being the member for Farrer,” Ms Ley said.
“I love being the member for Farrer, I’m here in Albury not because I’m trying to get away from the media scrutiny in Canberra or Sydney.
“I’ll be there soon enough and I’m always happy to answer questions, the media knows that.
“But right now I’m getting back to work for the people of Farrer and I thank you all.”
With that, Ms Ley walked back to her office, accompanied by the calls of a crow.
It was a reminder that despite the palms and deck with lounge chairs that formed the media conference backdrop we were a long way from the seagulls and glamour of the Gold Coast.
Though the heat is still on Ms Ley’s ministerial career.