When word hit CBD HQ that former PM Tony Abbott would be the star attraction at a forthcoming Liberal fundraiser – headlined “Bling it on!” – we were intrigued to say the least.

The very name of the event conjured up any number of potential showstopping, or maybe even jaw-dropping, moments.

And boy, the former prime minister and current Liberal Party federal president did not disappoint. Last Thursday evening, Abbott gave Linda Hurley, the warbling wife of former governor-general David Hurley, a run for her money when he took the mic at the Grand Vaudeville reception venue in the Sydney suburb of Condell Park and offered guests a special performance of the song Green, Green Grass of Home, popularised by Tom Jones.

Abbott, singing in the coldly lit room with chandeliers overhead, even changed the words of the song to accommodate the name of the hosting electorate, the NSW state seat of East Hills. None of which we knew, of course, until a video of the performance posted to social media made its way to our desk on Monday morning.

“Hair of gold and lips like cherry. It’s good to touch the East, East Hills of home,” Abbott sang, before cutting himself off.

“I’ll spare you the rest. Look, it’s wonderful to be here at this celebration of the contribution of [former Liberal member for East Hills] Wendy Lindsay to this community, it’s wonderful to be here amongst members, friends, and supporters of the Liberal Party. But most of all, it’s fantastic to be here at a wonderful celebration of Australia.”

The East Hills cameo was only the latest in a string of Liberal appearances he had booked in the diary since taking over as party president earlier this year.

When we reached Abbott to ask which Green, Green Grass of Home cover was his favourite, he said he’d had the Tom Jones version in the mix for a while.

“I’ve had the Tom Jones version on my Spotify playlist for ages. I like it because it’s something you don’t need much vocal range to sing!” Abbott told CBD in a text message. “Not that I’m much good even with an unchallenging song!!”

Packer’s surprise Logies return

Newlywed billionaire James Packer has made a rare return to TV, making a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance on the Logies telecast among a flock of comedians and celebrity faces.

Packer, who tied the knot with former model Kylie Lim on his superyacht, IJE, off the coast of Sardinia last week paid brief tribute to Andrew Denton, one of the evening’s three Hall Of Fame inductees, at TV’s night of nights, which was held in Sydney on Sunday.

Packer said some collegiate words about Denton, who famously sat on his lap and pretended to be a ventriloquist’s dummy during the 1999 Logies.

Denton was hosting the awards that year, and his bold targeting of Packer is still spoken about as part of Logies-lore. Of course, the Packer family at that stage owned Nine, which broadcast the Logies that year.

“Congratulations on your amazing career. If I was there I would sit on your lap,” Packer said in the clip played as part of Denton’s induction ceremony.

Recalling that night back in 1999 during his acceptance speech, Denton added a bit of exaggeration to the memory.

“It is a bit weird being back in the Logies room. As you now know, the last time I was here I did lap-dance James Packer and it was very exciting for me, but did he call once, did he send flowers? Nothing,” Denton quipped.

Sadly, there were no billionaire ventriloquist’s acts at this year’s Logies, but Denton did sign off with a swipe at Donald Trump, saying he would either store his new Logie next to his D-grade indoor cricket trophy, or gift it to Trump “because if there is ... one sociopathic arsehole who needs more bling in the world right now, it is him”. Ouch!

A night with Marles

Members of the Albanese government may not wear clothes produced by their donors – or, at least not that we’re aware of – but that doesn’t mean the Labor Party is above selling access to its most senior ministers.

The latest Albanese government minister to be wheeled out by the party’s Federal Labor Business Forum is Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles, whom executives and lobbyists will get the ear of on September 16 for the bargain-basement price of $4000 a head. Members of Labor’s pay-for-access scheme get a tidy $1000 discount.

The party’s business forum events and the Liberal Party’s equivalents have long been a source of discomfort here at CBD, given how little we know about who gets access to government ministers and how much they shell out for the pleasure until long after the fact. (One estimate reported by The Australian Financial Review priced subscriptions to the forum at between $33,000 and $121,000 a year.)

Best we understand, though, that is set to change from January 1, when the Albanese government’s new electoral law reforms are set to take effect, forcing greater and more timely disclosure around fundraising activities and political donations.

The reforms are set to include a $50,000 cap on gifts and reduce the disclosure threshold from the current amount of about $17,300 to $5000. They’re also expected to capture fundraising activities.

“These once-in-a-generation reforms included significantly increasing transparency in our elections by lowering the threshold for public reporting of donations and increasing the frequency of reporting,” a government spokesman said.

But our guess is Marles will be far from the last minister to offer himself in this way.