'Caviar Kellie': Latham's Superyacht Attack on New Liberal Leader
Incoming New South Wales Liberal leader Kellie Sloane faces her first political controversy, with former Labor leader Mark Latham branding her 'Caviar Kellie Sloane' after a resurfaced photo from her pre-political life went viral. The image, originally posted in 2017, shows Sloane eating Russian caviar off the back of her hand while aboard a luxury superyacht.
From Media Career to Political Leadership
Kellie Sloane, 52, was unanimously endorsed by Liberal MPs on Friday morning to lead the party into the 2027 NSW state election. She represents Vaucluse, one of Australia's wealthiest electorates covering Sydney's eastern harbour suburbs. Before entering parliament in 2023, Sloane enjoyed a high-profile media career as a presenter on Channel Nine and also worked at Channel Seven and the ABC.
She later served as the National CEO of Life Ed, the charity behind the beloved Healthy Harold program. Her transition from media personality to political leader marks a significant career shift that Latham has sought to exploit.
Political Fallout and Leadership Reshuffle
Latham, now an Independent MP, reposted the 2017 photo taken on a Majesty 122 yacht at the Sydney Boat Show with a mocking caption. 'Meet the new NSW Liberal Leader, Caviar Kellie Sloane,' he wrote, adding sarcastically that eating Russian caviar 'is a big vote winner in Western Sydney… Oops, I mean Vaucluse.'
The leadership change comes after former leader Mark Speakman announced on Thursday he would step aside, admitting he could not cut through with voters. Speakman endorsed Sloane as his successor, describing her as 'someone of enormous talent' who would make a 'fantastic leader'.
This NSW leadership shake-up follows similar upheaval in Victoria, where the Liberals this week dumped Brad Battin and installed first-term MP Jess Wilson as leader. Meanwhile, the NSW Nationals elected Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh unopposed on Tuesday after Dugald Saunders' shock resignation.
