A charity auction at Canberra’s annual Press Gallery Midwinter Ball has produced an unusual political meeting, with mortgage broker and tax campaigner Joseph Daoud securing a tennis match with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after submitting the winning bid of $16,500.

The auction prize includes a tennis match at The Lodge, the Prime Minister’s official residence, along with hospitality for four guests. Money raised from the event will go to charity, continuing a long-standing tradition of the Midwinter Ball supporting community organisations.

Daoud said his motivation was not simply to play tennis, but to secure an opportunity for a direct conversation with the Prime Minister about recent tax reforms that have generated significant debate within the property, finance and small business sectors.

In recent weeks, Daoud has become one of the most visible critics of the Albanese Government’s tax package. He previously funded a billboard campaign in Canberra opposing changes affecting capital gains tax, negative gearing and certain investment structures, arguing the measures could discourage investment and make it harder for small businesses and aspiring investors.

Following the charity auction, Daoud said he hoped to use the meeting to ask questions directly rather than through public campaigns. Among the issues he wants to discuss are the government’s changes to property taxation and their potential impact on housing supply, investment and first-home buyers.

The Albanese Government has defended the reforms, arguing they are intended to improve housing affordability by reducing tax settings that it believes disproportionately benefit investors. Ministers have also said the measures are designed to help rebalance the tax system while supporting first-home buyers and funding broader cost-of-living initiatives.

Business groups and sections of the finance industry have expressed differing views on the changes. Some organisations argue the reforms could reduce investment incentives and affect future housing supply, while others believe they represent an important step toward improving access to home ownership.

The tennis match itself has attracted attention because it brings together two people who have publicly disagreed over the government’s economic agenda. However, both the auction organisers and Daoud have emphasised that the proceeds support charitable causes, with the event raising funds for community organisations.

Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the auction after it concluded and indicated he was prepared to meet Daoud on the court. He also reiterated the government’s position that its housing and tax reforms are aimed at improving opportunities for Australians seeking to purchase their first home.

The broader policy debate is expected to continue as additional elements of the government’s tax agenda are introduced over the coming months. Industry representatives, economists and political leaders remain divided over the likely long-term effects on investment, housing affordability and economic growth.

While the tennis match is primarily a fundraising event, it has also become a symbol of the continuing discussion surrounding Australia’s tax reforms. Whether the conversation changes any policy remains to be seen, but it highlights the strong interest many Australians continue to have in the future direction of the country’s taxation system.