Christopher Pyne is one of the most legendary dinner companions in the Liberal Party. The problem is, Pyne can’t cook. Luckily his oldest friend and political mentor - former Howard Government minister Amanda Vanstone is a dynamo in the kitchen. Shadow Minister and Manager of Opposition Business Christopher Pyne teams up with his political mentor and great friend Amanda Vanstone to discuss his start in politics. Alarmingly, this occurred at age seven, apparently after swimming in Amanda’s pool. Later, Christopher worked for Amanda, then won a South Australian seat in a memorably bloody encounter. Over lunch, Christopher talks about his early hostile relationship with John Howard, his unlikely friendship with Bronwyn Bishop, and his sense of inferiority to Jackie Kelly. He talks to Annabel about his days on the backbench, his political rivalries, and his friendship with Vanstone. Amanda Vanstone entertains with stories of her time as one of the most recognised Ministers in the Howard Government, when students burnt effigies of her as she set about implementing some of the most extreme cuts to higher education Australia has witnessed. She also tells the real story of the day John Howard sacked her.
Political commentator Annabel Crabb joins Opposition Minster for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion. Nigel cooks a chilli mud crab and a Northern Territory tasting plate. Annabel's dessert is a mango and lemon myrtle trifle. One of the best-kept secrets of the Senate, Nigel Scullion represents the Northern Territory and is the opposition’s spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs. Senator Scullion talks to Annabel about his improbable life story – from a nomadic African youth to a stint in the Canberra Scouts to living on a boat in Arnhem Land to a wild night out sans trousers in St Petersburg, to passionate local member and supporter of his indigenous constituents. A self confessed serial “wildlife botherer”, Scullion’s past is as rich and colourful as the creatures he kills and serves. Like all Territorians, Scullion is a great storyteller. Telling tales both tall and true he whisks Annabel off in his boat to a remote location that becomes both supermarket and kitchen, and confronts an angry crustacean in his bare feet. True story
The Minister for Finance Penny Wong is one tough nut to crack, but Annabel’s famed Mandarin Crème Brûlée has loosened the tongues of countless pollies over the years. Minister for Finance Penny Wong has one of the most famous poker faces in the Gillard Government. In this episode, though, as she cooks a dish of particular personal significance, Senator Wong talks about some of life’s complications; her unsuccessful attempt to save the world with Kevin Rudd at Copenhagen, for example, and her quest to preserve her own privacy despite having a private life that might as well, given current political circumstances, have neon lights all over it. Why did she have herself baptised at a youthful age? How strange was it to be the only Asian kid at her Aussie primary school? What makes her lose her temper? What is Belachan? All will be revealed…
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop crushed The Chasers’ Chas Licciardello in a staring contest. Will Annabel be able to withstand the awesome power of Julie’s coriander and prawn risotto? Deputy Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop has survived three bloody leadership battles, in turn serving Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull, and Tony Abbott. So what makes this Adelaide born blue-blood - known for her famous “death stare” - tick? Bishop discusses her childhood in the Adelaide Hills as the daughter of fifth generation cherry farmers, through to her rise as a Perth based corporate lawyer whose political awakening was forged by WA Inc. Over risotto and rosé Bishop talks about her friendships across the political divide, surviving embarrassing policy gaffes, and what it takes to outlast, out run and out manoeuvre her opponents. She also confesses to some truly unusual jogging behaviour, and to having run away, as a child, to join the Brownies.
Annabel’s toughest assignment. The recently appointed Minister for Health is a fervent foodie and formidable cook. Will Annabel’s Roast Strawberry Cheesecake make the grade? Health Minister Tanya Plibersek is known for her calm poise and patience as she straddles the responsibilities of a career in politics, with being a mother of three small children. Criticised for returning to work with a newborn baby, Plibersek discusses the endless juggle for working women, her immigrant father’s work on the Snowy Mountains scheme, and what led her from political activism to politics. In a deeply personal interview Tanya also talks about the way she and her family navigated press revelations of her husband’s past involvement in heroin trafficking and his rehabilitation from a teenage prison term to become a senior public servant. In a true demonstration of multi-tasking, she accomplishes all this while assembling stuffed zucchini flowers, baked cheese and olive pastries and a superb trout pasta.
Long standing member for the seat of Lyons on the wild western Tasmanian coast, Dick Adams is also the parliament's last surviving shearer. Dick wrestles a 20kilogram salmon into a stainless steel poacher as Annabel counters with dessert Tarte Tatin. Labor backbencher Dick Adams welcomes Annabel into his historically-notorious home to talk salmon, mutton birds, cheese, wine, and custom-built cookware. A former shearer, Adams explains how he made the journey through various trades, illiterate until well into his twenties, and ultimately became a member of parliament. While a prodigiously-sized salmon simmers away on the stove, Dick shares the secrets of egg mayonnaise while recounting some of the challenges of his political career, involving his definitive clash with former leader Mark Latham over Tasmanian forestry, in which he defied his own party’s election policy.
Joe Hockey is the landlord of a notorious Canberra based share house that has provided accommodation to many senior Liberal figures including Ross Cameron, Bob Baldwin and most famously, Brendan Nelson who whilst Liberal Leader, lived out in the back shed.
Senior Liberal figure and once touted future Prime Minister Bronwyn Bishop breaks out the good silver to host Annabel over a mushroom lasagne with a roma tomato, bocconcini, and basil leaf salad.
Peter Garrett is undoubtedly the most famous Australian to ever enter Federal Parliament. He's also its only actual rock star. But is he much of a cook? Garrett opens his Stephanie Alexander cookbook to offer up a simple but impressive pumpkin soup entre followed by pesto pasta.
Via small plane, car and camel Annabel takes the long trek to remote QLD to be wined and dined by one of the most colourful characters in the Australian Parliament. Nationals Leader in the Senate Barnaby Joyce dishes the dirt on his political dustups over a French inspired beef casserole.
West Australian Labor Senator Louise Pratt is the youngest of our hosts and also hands-down the most serious cook of the series. Inventing her own recipes Louise takes a messy but creative approach to her entree of scallop fritters before moving on to crab linguine with handmade pasta.
Over a meal made exclusively from local produce Greens Leader Christine Milne talks to Annabel about her journey from Catholic Boarding school to environmental crusader. Politicised over the fight to save the Franklin River Milne is an unlikely but formidable political strategist. She's also a darn good cook.
Former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull is no stranger to Annabel Crabb, she profiled him for her 2009 Walkley Award winning Quarterly Essay "Stop At Nothing: The Life and Adventures of Malcolm Turnbull". For this encounter Malcolm Turnbull invites Annabel to his property in country NSW, to catch their own yabbies for lunch. He talks openly about how his father Bruce raised him after the unexpected departure of his mother (and all the household furniture) at age 9. A dab hand in the kitchen, Malcolm cooks roast tomato, yabby and rocket pasta whilst regaling Annabel with stories about his time working for Kerry Packer. For lunch they are joined by Malcolm's wife, Lucy Turnbull, former Lord Mayor of Sydney. Lucy reveals the difficulty of being the spouse during fierce leadership battles. They shed light on Malcolm's leadership defeat, the bleak period that followed his removal and how he has found his equilibrium again.
Annabel heads to Logan, Queensland to dine with Craig Emerson, Labor MP, former boyfriend of Julia Gillard and the man famous for his protest ditty "Whyalla Wipeout". Whilst whipping up a spicy Salmon stir fry, he talks to Annabel about his difficult childhood and how he was the king of the nerds in high school. Craig reminisces about his days working as an economics advisor for Bob Hawke, and reveals that a minister's big spending proposal could get up if the PM had a good day at the racetrack. Over dinner in a tropical courtyard, Craig talks about leadership tensions and Julia Gillard’s famous misogyny speech. In the aftermath of “Whyalla Wipeout” his children banned him from any future musical performances, but will he be able to suppress his instincts when Annabel comes to call?
Originally elected to the South Australian parliament for a single issue, Nick 'No Pokies' Xenophon has now shifted his attention to the federal senate. The notoriously private Xenophon won't let anyone into his home, so he invites Annabel to his Adelaide office, which is conveniently decked out with a fully operational kitchen. Resourcefully incorporating several kitchen dishcloths, he painstakingly prepares some classic Greek dips. Then Nick, Annabel and 10 kilograms of octopi head off to a Greek yiros restaurant, where Nick takes over the barbecue coals and shares his secret to cooking perfect octopus. Over dinner Nick discusses some of his famous show downs with the Labor government when he held the balance of power in the Senate.
Media shy Labor powerhouse, Jenny Macklin, opens up her Melbourne home to Annabel for a feast of curries. Annabel heads straight to the pantry and finds an exceedingly organised spice drawer, providing clues to why Jenny is the guru behind key Labor policies such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Apology and paid parental leave. In 2001, whilst Labor was in opposition, Jenny became the first female Deputy Leader. She served as deputy for three leaders until Julia Gillard ousted her from the role. Over a delicious lunch, Jenny reveals how she mended her relationship with Julia Gillard, and how she remained committed to major policy reforms despite the difficulties of working in a hung parliament.
In a Kitchen Cabinet first, Liberal MP Sussan Ley flies her own plane to a Broken Hill shearer's shed to show Annabel how to cook a classic country roast, which they share with Australia's self-proclaimed "most disgraced senator" Bill Heffernan. Whilst preparing lunch Annabel discovers that Sussan has one of the most interesting CVs in federal parliament - she has been a farmer, punk, economist, air traffic controller, aerial stock musterer and sometimes gun-toting shearers' cook. Over mouth watering meal Bill explains to Annabel why he is happy to get into a few parliamentary scrapes, and even an arm wrestle or two, in order to stand up for the bush.
In the aftermath of the Labor leadership change, Annabel heads to the Blue Mountains in NSW to check the pulse of the Labor party with candid Senator Doug Cameron. This former trade union boss, and keen ally of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, is not a comfortable cook. Born and raised in Scotland, the possibility of Doug serving a national dish that involved offal or deep frying was high, but Annabel is pleasantly surprised, and Doug is overjoyed, when he rustles up a tasty lunch of barramundi, mash and veges. Over lunch Doug talks openly about why he hasn't touched alcohol in over 20 years and how he dealt with violent threats levelled at him during his time leading the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union.
In part one of this Kitchen Cabinet Election Special, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott invites Annabel to his home in Sydney for a barbecue where they discuss leading the Liberal Party, life in politics, his student days, the priesthood and the ups and downs of the campaign trail. He mobilises his resident culinary experts, daughters Frances and Bridget, to assist in the kitchen. And as always Annabel brings a delicious dessert - a nutty quince crumble paired with a homemade custard with an interesting back story.
In part two of this Kitchen Cabinet Election Special, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd invites Annabel to the verandah of his Brisbane home for a spot of high tea. In the kitchen Kevin's daughter Jessica helps him prepare his favourite chocolate slice using a recipe from his mother's cookbook and Annabel asks the PM's to assist in the assembly of her dessert - Kevlovas. Over tea, Kevin talks about his family, losing the Prime Ministership in 2010 and why, despite the odds, he remains loyal to the Labor party.
Kitchen Cabinet returns for another series and Former PM Bob Hawke opens the doors to his Sydney home and takes Annabel on a house tour that involves both an inclinator and an elevator, before serving up steamed Asian fish.
Trade Minister Andrew Robb and former Liberal senator Mary Jo Fisher talk openly about their struggles with depression and how mental health can influence a political career.
Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten, with some close supervision from his wife Chloe Shorten, whips up a ratatouille for Annabel Crabb.
In this week's episode of Kitchen Cabinet, Annabel Crabb breaks bread with our Belgian-born, Perth-based Finance Minister Mathias Cormann who serves up some 'mussels from Brussels'.
In this week's episode of Kitchen Cabinet, Annabel Crabb speaks with Labor MP Anna Burke about her experiences as Speaker during the unruliest parliament in Australian history.
Annabel heads to Far North QLD to meet Coalition MP Warren Entsch. Warren picks Annabel up on his motorbike and they zoom to his property outside Cairns where he prepares a seafood feast freshly caught from the Torres Strait.
In a very special Kitchen Cabinet finale for 2014, Annabel Crabb heads to Queensland to dine with the always unpredictable, Clive Palmer in Coolum. What will he serve up?
Annabel visits Liberal heavy hitter Scott Morrison at a beach house his family regularly rents on the NSW South Coast. Morrison is at ease in the kitchen as he prepares a Sri Lankan fish curry, chapatis and samosas, or - as his staff hilariously call them - ‘ScoMosas’.
In a Kitchen Cabinet first, Annabel Crabb presides over a cross party lunch, when Liberal Minister Christopher Pyne dines with Labor MP Anthony Albanese at a Canberra Chinese restaurant.
Annabel Crabb travels to Gippsland to meet Senator Ricky Muir, who started election night 2013 as an anonymous petrol head & ended it as a senator elected on the lowest-ever proportion of the primary vote.
Annabel Crabb travels to the Top End to meet Olympic gold medallist turned Labor Senator, Nova Peris.
Annabel travels to the Otway Ranges in Victoria to meet the Leader of the Greens Richard Di Natale at his farm, which is powered entirely by solar panels and optimism.
Annabel Crabb heads to the Adelaide home of conservative Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi. Over lunch they discuss why he's one of the most controversial figures in parliament, same sex marriage, multiculturalism & more.
Kicking off the new season of Kitchen Cabinet, Annabel Crabb travels to Tasmania to dine with colourful crossbencher Senator Jacqui Lambie. A former soldier, she now leads her own political party, the Jacqui Lambie Network.
Labor Senator Sam Dastyari, who began his life in an Iranian village, takes Annabel to a Persian grocer to demonstrate his lineage & pulls off a genuine Persian dish despite his friends wagering heavily against that outcome.
Annabel Crabb invites herself over to the Canberra share house of WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam. He claims he can't cook, so Annabel arrives with ingredients to teach the reluctant Ludlam how to make a simple tomato pasta.
Annabel heads to Perth to meet Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash. She whips up a salmon bake and talks about her travels in the Middle East, tough negotiations in the senate and her beloved cats.
Annabel Crabb is joined by former campaign staffers Claire Kimball & Lachlan Harris, plus press gallery veterans Mike Bowers & Samantha Maiden to share war stories from the election campaign.
Annabel Crabb joins Opposition Leader Bill Shorten for a campaign pit stop.
Annabel Crabb has lunch with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and finds out how he is faring on the 2016 campaign trail.
Join Annabel Crabb for a brand new season as she breaks bread with eight of the Federal Parliament's most fascinating and powerful figures from across the political spectrum. In this episode Western Sydney Independent Dai Le.
At his outer Brisbane home Peter Dutton explains how a self-confessed shy kid became Leader of the Opposition. Annabel interrogates how his career as a Queensland police officer has left a lasting impression on his politics.
Annabel Crabb is knocking on doors and breaking bread with some fascinating figures in the federal parliament. This time Annabel dines with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and delves into her rich life story.
Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe is one of the Parliament's most recognisable faces. Noted for her fiery ways, Thorpe also has a ribald sense of humour. Annabel delves into what has shaped her life and views.
Former Home Affairs Minister and Liberal MP Karen Andrews has announced she will resign at the next election and in this candid interview she describes why Parliament House is the most sexist environment she's ever worked in.
