ASTRA visits the Secret City (Canberra)

Senior executives from ASTRA and the subscription TV sector descended on Canberra yesterday for meetings with politicians and the annual ASTRA cocktail reception held inside Parliament House.

The event was hosted by Sky News Australia's David Speers and the speakers were ASTRA's Tony Shepherd, Foxtel's Richard Freudenstein, star of A Place To Call Home Marta Dusseldorp and communications minister Malcolm Turnbull.

ASTRA provided a well-stocked lolly bar and guests were shown a preview of the new BBC First series Banished. There was also a goodie bag on offer with promotional products from various subscription TV channels.

Foxtel talent on hand at the reception included Marcia Hines – Smooth, Steve Liebmann – The History Channel and Sky News, Matt Moran – The Great Aussie Bake Off, Shaynna Blaze – Selling Houses Australia, Paul West – River Cottage Australia, Peter Maddison – Grand Designs Australia, Deborah Hutton – Foxtel Arts, a Fox Sports team that included Lara Pitt, Nathan Hindmarsh, Bryan Fletcher, George Gregan, Jonathan Brown, Megan Barnard, Jess Egan, Sandy Roberts and Mark Skaife, and Jeffrey Walker, director of Banished

Subscription TV executives included ASTRA's Andrew Maiden, Jennifer Millington, Holly Brimble and Katrina Stuve, Foxtel's Brian Walsh, Bruce Meagher and Jamie Campbell, Ben Richardson from Viacom, Jacqui Feeney from Fox International, Patrick Delaney from Fox Sports, Tim Christlieb from BBC Worldwide, Leisa Sadler from Disney, Matthew Deaner from Screen Producers and former ASTRA chief, now with Ausfilm, Debra Richards.

Politicians who attended included Anthony Albanese, Stephen Conroy, Scott Morrison, Bronwyn Bishop, Malcolm Turnbull, Jane Prentice, Jason Clare (shadow Comms Minister), Catryna Bilyk, Sarah Henderson and Sarah Hanson-Young.

Photos (clockwise):
Deborah Hutton, Brian Walsh, Brownwyn Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull
Richard Freudenstein, Turnbull and Andrew MaidenPatrick Delaney, Brian Walsh and Fox Sports team