Peter FitzSimons and Lisa Wilkinson cancel Australia Day party after ‘Year From Hell’

Lisa Wilkinson and Peter FitzSimons and have wrapped up their traditional Australia Day party after enduring the “worst year of their lives” in 2022.

The high-profile couple’s annual barbecue on January 26 at their waterfront mansion was one of the most anticipated events of the year for Sydney’s A-list, which included guests from Prime Ministers and TV stars to chefs, comedians and journalists.

Outspoken Republicans renamed the famous bash an “Independence Day” party in 2020, but it was shelved in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The much-anticipated event returned last year but was pushed back a month to February 26 due to previous guests being removed from the guest list.

It’s been revealed the couple won’t be hosting a party this year after a year from hell, which has left friends speculating if it’s been permanently canned forever.

The pair weren’t far from headlines in 2022 when FitzSimons’ controversial interview with Indigenous Senator Jacinta Price and his wife spoke in hot water about their Logie Award-winning speech for their interview with Brittany Higgins before eventually becoming a presenter from The Project ceased.

An unnamed friend said the couple was “struck” after a tumultuous 2022, both would rather it be forgotten.

The future of Peter FitzSimon and Lisa Wilkinson’s famous annual Australia Day party is reportedly in doubt after their year of hell

“They feel like they’ve had the worst year of their lives: Fitzy with the controversy surrounding his Jacinta Price interview and Lisa feeling unfairly targeted by sections of the media throughout the Brittany Higgins affair ‘ the friend told The Australian.

“That’s why they don’t have a party.”

Then-opposition leader Antony Albanese and his girlfriend Jodie Haydon were guests of honor at last year’s Shindig, which featured Magda Szubanski, Tens The Project stars and ABC journalists

One conspicuous omission was ABC Q&A host Stan Grant, months after he mercilessly mocked the party as a “woke left-wing love” of “journalists, actors, writers, a bunch of ex-wallabies, a bunch of scrapped politicians…”. and a former ABC’ executive.

“Everyone there voted yes for same-sex marriage – the year before last they had all been tearfully applauding their first guests from a gay couple – they hated the Catholic Church and had cried when Kevin Rudd apologized.”

Grant sparked fury by sharing a peek inside the couple’s home.

“On the wall were dot images, a photo with her arms around Cathy Freeman at the Sydney Olympic Stadium and a framed copy of Paul’s Keating Redfern statement signed by Australia’s last great Prime Minister himself.”

Friends say Lisa Wilkinson (right) felt unfairly offended after the aftermath of her Logie Prize acceptance speech for her interview with Brittany Higgins (left).

Stan Grant was a notable omission from the guest list at last year’s party

2022 got off to a shaky start with Wilkinson’s memoir It Wasn’t Meant To Be Like This reduced to just $5 at major retailers.

She embarked on a national tour to promote her book and address criticism of her memoir — including allegations that she left out key details about her pay dispute with former employer Channel Nine.

In June, Wilkinson won a Logie award for her powerful television interview with former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who claimed she was raped by a colleague at Parliament House in 2019.

She praised Ms Higgins in her acceptance speech, which led directly to the trial of Ms Higgins’ accused rapist being postponed.

The fallout led to past and present colleagues and rivals from various networks slamming Wilkinson.

The aftermath of her all-encompassing memoir continued to plague Lisa Wilkinson in 2022

In August, FitzSimons interviewed Aboriginal Senator Jacinta Price for the Sydney Morning Herald, where the two clashed over Aboriginal votes in Parliament.

The senator claimed to have been “aggressive” and “rude” to her during the interview.

Weeks later, FitzSimons wasted no time calling for a republic after the Queen’s death, with the Australian Republic Movement issuing a statement just 17 minutes after announcing its existence.

After seven years at the helm, he resigned as head of ARM.

“The death of Queen Elizabeth II confirms that decision as the whole campaign enters a new phase,” he said at the time.

“Now a new generation is stepping up to lead the campaign, many of whom were too young to vote when the last referendum was held – some of whom weren’t even born.”

Lisa Wilkinson has been off the air since she stepped down as presenter of The Project in November

Wilkinson abruptly left The Project in November after four years on the panel, citing “targeted toxicity” from sections of the media as the reason for her exit.

She hasn’t returned to screens but is still raking in a “seven-figure salary” from Ten thanks to the “watertight” contract she signed in 2021.

FitzSimons continues to be outspoken about the Republican movement and last week praised the Reserve Bank’s decision not to replace the late monarch on the new $5 bill by King Charles III. to replace.

He hailed Thursday’s decision as a big step forward.

“Next, where across Australia does the official portrait of ‘King Charles’ hang and how quickly can it be removed?” he tweeted.

It’s been another tumultuous year for the high-profile couple (pictured)

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk