Back then we thought it looked like a grudge match for the ages \u2013 and the stakes have only grown. <\/p>\n
Since then, the housing market has tanked, Daoud has been Question Time fodder for the PM, and he has been embraced by Opposition leader Angus Taylor and his shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson.<\/p>\n
Oh, and Daoud has joined the Liberal Party. Jim Chalmers\u2019 career-defining budget was the impetus, the small business owner told us.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly never considered it before,\u201d Daoud told Margin Call.<\/p>\n
Negotiations over the springtime showdown at The Lodge continued this week, with Daoud bristling that the PM\u2019s team had backtracked on what he says was an earlier agreement to bring his EA along, in addition to three other people. <\/p>\n
It seems a cheeky request to us. The auction description for the \u201cnot-to-be-missed opportunity\u201d said the prize was for \u201chospitality and generous refreshments assured for 4 people\u201d (not four people plus staff). <\/p>\n
And anyway, why the need for the EA? <\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone could call me,\u201d Daoud told us. \u201cI\u2019m a small-business owner.\u201d<\/p>\n
We gather the PMO is of the view that four means four. Daoud says the other three along will be people unhappy with this year\u2019s budget: a single-mum from southwest Sydney, a policeman from Queensland and a financial planner who specialises in self-managed super funds.<\/p>\n
Back in July when Daoud made his winning bid, the former personal trainer was nursing a nasty injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had torn a few ligaments in my ankle,\u201d he told us. <\/p>\n
Helpfully, the PM did not call the game early so Daoud has had time to heal up. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s feeling fantastic,\u201d he told us.<\/p>\n
Our 63-year-old PM, a veteran of the Marrickville circuit, is known as a formidable tennis player. Many remember him as one-half of the 1979 winning duo in the under-17 doubles title at the Marrickville & District Hardcourt Tennis Association.<\/p>\n
In preparation Daoud, 35, has been training furiously on courts near his house in Menai in Sydney\u2019s Sutherland Shire (in Labor MP David Moncrieff\u2019s electorate).<\/p>\n
Daoud told Margin Call he has been working with a tennis coach three times a week and has \u201cramped it up\u201d further as the game approaches. <\/p>\n
The PM fancies his ability to get along with people. While we doubt the pair are going to bond over Australian housing policy, the two clearly share some common ground. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a smile on my face just thinking about tennis training tonight,\u201d Daoud told us. \u201cI might join a tennis club after all this is done.\u201c<\/p>\n
Read related topics:Anthony Albanese<\/a> Will Glasgow is an award winning journalist and The Australian\u2019s Margin Call columnist, covering business, politics and power. He was previously based in Beijing and Taipei as The Australian\u2019s North Asia correspondent and was a finalist in the Lowy Institute\u2019s foreign reporter of the year prize in 2025. Send him tips via encrypted messaging platform Signal (@WillGlasgow.42) or email him at will.glasgow@theaustralian.com.au<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"16 hours ago. 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<\/a>Will Glasgow<\/a>Senior journalist and Margin Call columnist<\/p>\n