Kate Baillieu

Katharine Jean Baillieu (born 17 January 1946) is an Australian former journalist.

Kate Baillieu
Born
Katherine Jean Baillieu

(1946-01-17) 17 January 1946
Australia
Occupation(s)Former Journalist, assistant to Kerry Packer

Early career

Baillieu worked as a journalist and later as a personal assistant to Kerry Packer.[1] In 1977, Baillieu was awarded the Douglas Wilkie Medal by the Anti-Football League. In an interview with The Australian in February 2009, Baillieu revealed that she almost became a reporter for 60 Minutes and said that after she resigned, her role as an investigative journalist into asbestos was "ever so delicately erased... they airbrushed me out".[2]

Public controversies

Baillieu has been involved in public controversies against development in and around Portsea. She has been described in the press as the "general for the old money push" in "a struggle of old and new money" about development in the area.[3] However, Baillieu has stated: "This is a neighbourly, peaceful place. Portsea conjures up an image. But we are not exclusive. Anyone can come here."[4][5]

Lindsay Fox

Baillieu was described as a "dogged nemesis" of Lindsay Fox who is her Portsea neighbour.[6] However, Baillieu failed in a court bid to prevent him landing his helicopter at his Portsea house. During court proceedings Baillieu was forced to admit under cross examination that she had landed helicopters in Portsea when she was Kerry Packer's personal assistant.[7][8][9]

She is currently embroiled in a new battle with Fox over his claims on the Portsea beach in front of his holiday house.

Point Nepean

In late 2002 and in 2003, the Federal Government considered selling or leasing part of Point Nepean.[10] Baillieu became an activist against the proposed redevelopment saying "We could end up with is one rich bloke building a couple of houses there. It will be a bloody tragedy, I can tell you."[11] and "If this priceless heritage land falls into private hands there will undoubtedly be a local electoral backlash and I think it will be a matter of national shame, deep shame".[12] The sale of parts of Point Nepean was prevented by a very strong community campaign which eventually led to Point Nepean being declared a National Park and Heritage listed.[13][14]

Sorrento Post Office

In May 2012, Baillieu opposed the plans to close or relocate the Sorrento Post Office.[15] Despite Baillieu's intervention to stop the relocation, it has been reported that the Sorrento Post Office, built in 1905, is now expected to be sold.[16]

Political ambitions

The Age reported in 2003 that Baillieu was considering entering politics as an independent.[17] As yet, however, she has not made a run for public office.

Personal life

Baillieu is the fourth of seven children of Darren and Diana Baillieu (née Knox).[18] She is a sister of Ted Baillieu, the former Premier of the State of Victoria. Baillieu is a resident of both Toorak, Melbourne (Hawksburn) and Portsea, Victoria.[19] Baillieu married Victorian politician and businessman Julian Doyle in October 1983. The marriage to Baillieu was Doyle's second marriage. They had one child together, a daughter, Amy, born in 1986.[20]

References
  1. Christine Lacy of The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Baillieu was Packer's "self-described personal assistant" in an article on 27 May 2003.
  2. Schulze, Jane (23 February 2009). "Revealed: Kate Baillieu, the unknown 60 Minutes journo". The Australian.
  3. Ellingsen, Peter, The Age, 17 April 1999.
  4. Ellingsen, Peter, The Age, 17 April 1999.
  5. "Art's white knight ... or, some would say, its devil in a sharkskin suit". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 November 2002. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  6. "High drama in the vexed case of the flying Fox". The Age. Melbourne. 27 May 2003. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  7. "Newsletters". Nepean Conservation Group. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  8. "Lindsay stays a flying Fox". The Age. Melbourne. 4 July 2003. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  9. Kleinman, Rachel (4 April 2007). "Concerns grow over peninsula music fest – National". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  10. "Portsea magnate eyes Nepean". The Age. Melbourne. 31 May 2003. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  11. "Fox's plan for Nepean land won't tempt locals". The Age. Melbourne. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  12. "How the battle for Point Nepean unfolded". The Age. Melbourne. 11 January 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  13. Daly, Martin (19 December 2003). "Right result for man from wrong side of tracks". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  14. "The Point Nepean Community Trust Board". Archived from the original on 30 October 2008.
  15. Carbone, Suzanne (3 May 2012). "Australia Post chief has loads of mail". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  16. Robin, Samantha (16 May 2012). "New home set for Sorrento post office". Peninsula Weekly. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  17. Fyfe, Melissa (13 December 2003). "Portsea's point of contention". The Age.
  18. "Unknown". Herald Sun.
  19. Gordon, Josh (16 April 2005). "Income tide lifts Portsea". The Age.
  20. "Doyle, Julian John". Re-member – a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria.
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