Overview

• Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court personally paid $15,000 at Parliament’s Midwinter Ball auction for a flight prize offered by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
• He plans to give the two seats to 18-year-old climate organiser Katya Zheluk and a yet‑to‑be‑named climate scientist to discuss climate policy and issues affecting young Australians.
• The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said the unreimbursed trip in Ley’s Cessna‑182 would be treated as a private flight and would not require an air operator’s certificate.
• The prize includes departure from Albury or Canberra, a classic pub lunch, and optional shearing lessons, with the flight date still to be set.
• Other auction highlights included Qantas return business‑class tickets bought for $18,000 and a tennis match at The Lodge won for $13,232, underscoring the event’s high‑profile fundraising.