sports
U.S. Officials and Business Figures to Attend Seattle Soccer Match
Health and energy secretaries from the U.S. administration will join Australian business leaders and diplomats in the VIP box for Saturday's match at Lumen Field. The Australian prime minister and sports minister will not attend.
The Sydney Morning HeraldAudio version
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are scheduled to attend the USA versus Australia soccer match at Lumen Field in Seattle on Saturday. Australia's new ambassador to the U.S., Greg Moriarty, will also be present along with Afterpay co-founder Nick Molnar and Precision Group chief executive Shaun Bonett.
Former Football Australia and ex-NRL chief executive David Gallop arrived in Seattle ahead of the match aboard philanthropist Steven Lowy's private jet.
Albanese considered traveling to the game but decided against it due to domestic political matters and federal budget revisions. The highest-ranking Australian government member expected at the stadium is Bennelong backbencher Jerome Laxale. The absence of Sports Minister Anika Wells and other senior officials has drawn comment from Football Australia, which noted the minister's recent expenses issue.
The opposition Coalition will be represented by shadow health minister Anne Ruston, former shadow health minister Richard Colbeck, and backbenchers Simon Kennedy and Tom Venning. Average attendees will face elevated prices, with local beer listed at $US17.99, bottled water at $US5.99, and a packet of nuts at $US8.99.
