Glenn Starr and Sussan ‘Tina Turner’ Ley practise their duet. Photo: Sussan Ley MP/Facebook.
Deputy opposition leader and Riverina-based Member for Farrer Sussan Ley dressed as rock star Tina Turner in Federal Parliament on Tuesday (7 March), honouring a dare aimed at raising funds for a new cancer treatment facility in Griffith.
There were laughs and gasps when Ms Ley appeared in Question Time wearing a black dress and frizzy blonde wig, but she got to explain herself when answering a question.
“First, let me introduce my alter ego Tina ‘Ley-na’ Turner, and this is worth a fair bit of cash,” she said. “At a cancer support fundraiser held in Griffith last Friday, my song partner Glenn Starr from the local Triple M breakfast challenged the 700-strong crowd to reach a $100,000 target but only if I took Tina to Parliament House.”
Riverina Cancer Care, a private centre providing chemotherapy and radiation therapy in Wagga, is currently building a new facility to do the same in Griffith. Its construction will save local patients the cost and stress of having to travel to Wagga or Albury for lifesaving treatment. It is expected to open in late May 2023.
On Friday 3 March, Ms Ley took part in a charity fundraiser night alongside radio host Glenn Starr to raise extra funds for the facility, wearing the Tina Turner outfit as the pair sung the duet It Takes Two.
“Two years ago, I announced around $5 million from the Coalition government for a new cancer centre in Griffith. Now that money gets you the bricks and mortar but there’s always more needed, for patient care, medical costs and equipment. No doubt inspired by the spirit of the occasion, $100,000 was doubled to $200,000 by chair of cancer care foundation Dr Tony Noun and his family. I want to thank the incredible generosity of the Griffith and Leeton communities who made this night such an awesome success.”
Sussan Ley in the halls of Federal Parliament dressed as Tina Turner. Photo: Sussan Ley MP/Facebook.
Mr Starr, who last week announced he was leaving Tripe M to focus on his music career, said he was always happy to support this cause.
“I have lost my mum to cancer, so it’s a very close cause for me. To be able to help anyone out with their journey and not have to go through things we went through, I’m happy to help out.”
Mr Starr and Ms Ley were just two of 19 duos who sang to raise money for Riverina Cancer Care. Councillor Jenny Ellis also took the stage with council’s general manager Brett Stonestreet, as did popular local musicians Bruno and Joe Mustiano. The other 17 couples were:
Katie Favero and Marcel Guidolin
Natasha Panapa and John Lolohea
Gavin Rossetto and Linda Pasquetti
Josephine Furore and Ago Furore
Mechlene Nehme and Mason Graham
Emily Verri and David Busnello
Rosanne Jones and Peter Jones
Sam Sergi and Vince Staltare
Tom Marando and Roy Calabria
Cheryl Rooks and Susan Bryant
Isabella Mercuri and Bailey Heath
Dino Carusi and Simon Carusi
Bruno Musitano and Joe Musitano
Joe Staltare and Dr Jaya Narayanan
Rene Mercuri and Lucas Kidd
Donations can still be made via the Takes Two Charity GoFundMe page.
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