Does Paul Keating have a girlfriend?

Under the appropriate heading, 'Strewth', D.D. McNicoll writes a daily column for The Australian. On first impressions, he seems to be providing some amusing news tidbits to give the reader a break from the oh-so-earnest political analysis on the accompanying pages. The attentive reader, however, will often be surprised to get a whiff of some heavy spirits amongst the frothy gossip. In yesterday's edition of The Australian, he submitted the following for our amusement:

Keating's blonde revealed

The attractive blonde who has been accompanying Paul Keating to the theatre over the past few years is Julianne Newbould, formerly an actor on 'Prisoner: Cell Block H', and Keating's sister Anne's best mate. 'Strewth' understands Newbould and Paul Keating are not an item, although they do occasionally step out at arts events at the Opera House and around town. Despite Annita Keating's claim in The Bulletin magazine this week that her estranged husband had had a girlfriend for a long time, the word from the former prime minister's circle is that Newbould and PJK and not romantically involved, but are good friends who have known each other through family and friends for years. Annita Keating told The Bulletin: 'I thought it was common knowledge he had a girlfriend.'

Why would Annita Keating be mistaken about such a matter? Or was it an evasive comment? And if Julianne Newbould is not Paul Keating's girlfriend, then who is? And, and, why didn't Keating's 'circle' tell McNicoll who his present 'partner' is? Surely, we are not to think that the vulgar abusive westy that happened on the highest political office of the land is leading a calm well-ordered celibate life. Perhaps McNicoll knows more about this and is just not saying...? I can't help feeling that he has a smug grin over his face as he writes his daily entries for 'Strewth'.

11 August 2009
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