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Martin Pakula

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A deserted Flinders Street Station during the COVID lockdowns.

Taxpayers stung $125m to cover COVID class action payout

About 16,000 businesses financially hit by 112 days of pandemic lockdowns have had a legal win, which also means former government ministers will avoid giving evidence.

  • Daniella White and Rachel Eddie

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Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks to Democrats in Chicago in 2024.

Michelle Obama’s Sydney tour to be held ‘off the record’

Journalists and other media have bizarrely been told that they won’t be welcome at the former first lady’s tour of Australia in May.

  • John Buckley and Fiona Byrne
Fernando Alonso (centre) in the paddock at Albert Park on Thursday.

Drivers risk ‘permanent nerve damage’ from new Formula 1 cars, team boss warns

The alarming comments from new Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey came after Australian Grand Prix chair Martin Pakula admitted he feared not all the teams would make it to Melbourne in time for the event.

  • Hannah Kennelly and Cara Waters
Pit lane at Albert Park during the 2024 race.

Grand Prix redevelopment blows out by $115m after asbestos find

Taxpayers are facing a hefty bill to pay for works to clean up and expand the Formula 1 pit facilities at Albert Park.

  • Patrick Hatch and Kieran Rooney
The MotoGP in Phillip Island in 2019.

Victoria set to lose Phillip Island Motorcycle Grand Prix

The MotoGP’s owners want to move the race to Albert Park, in inner Melbourne. If the state government does not cave, the race could end up in Adelaide.

  • Cameron Houston and Lachlan Abbott
Carlton heavyweights Martin Pakula, Josh Frydenberg, Scott Didier, Ray Finkelstein and Heloise Pratt.

The $13,000 Carlton membership that opens doors to the rich and famous

While other clubs cling to the glad rags of their few rich supporters, Carlton have much deeper ties to business.

  • Sarah Danckert
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Lindsay Fox poses for a selfie with Mark Vincent during Fox’s birthday party.

Tartan party! Lindsay Fox throws another men-only birthday bash

The billionaire trucking magnate rented out Crown Resorts’ flagship restaurant for his birthday shindig, where tartan, kilts and whisky flowed freely.

  • Stephen Brook
Former premier Steve Bracks and Grand Prix chair Martin Pakula at the race on Sunday.

Melbourne elite petrolheads out in force

The famous were out and about at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix – including Australia’s most unobtrusive billionaire.

  • Stephen Brook and Cara Waters
Formula 1 fan and podcast host  Eleanor Baillieu wears Cappellazo Couture in the Marriott Bonvoy lounge.

‘A festival of adrenaline and food and drink’: Grand prix’s female-friendly focus

The Formula 1 grand prix is becoming like the Birdcage, say some attendees.

  • Stephen Brook
Albert Park is now contracted to stage the grand prix through to 2037; the longest tenure by any host city.

Cost of hosting this year’s F1 grand prix hits record $100m

Victorian taxpayers have been left with a record bill from this year’s Formula 1 race, with runaway costs associated with the race outpacing the revenue generated by record attendances.

  • Chip Le Grand