Former US vice president Kamala Harris was seen cosying up inside a ritzy Sydney restaurant this weekend several months on from her devastating US election defeat.
The 60-year-old former Democrat nominee who lost the presidential race to Donald Trump was filmed dining alongside her entertainment lawyer husband Doug Emhoff at Mosman's Bather's Pavilion in the heart of Sydney's lower north shore.
The venue is where a certain Democrat colleague dined when he visited Australia in 2023 for his 'An Evening with Barack Obama' tour, which was $200-a-pop for a standard seat, and $895 for a 'platinum' spot.
Following the dinner Harris arrived for a commercial flight from Sydney Airport to the Gold Coast on Saturday where she is the guest of honour at a star-studded real estate speaking engagement.
Harris is one of 32 speakers booked to present at the Australasian Real Estate Conference hosted over two days at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Organisers of the event are expected to turbo-charge their security measures to account for the surprise booking where the more than 4000 real estate agents in attendance are expected to undergo security screening.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer Ariarne Titmus, big wave surfer Mark Mathews and British entrepreneur and influencer Steven Bartlett are also billed to present at the conference.
While Harris' speaking fee has not been disclosed, delegates will be billed between $995 and $1695 for a two-day pass to the event.
Harris was dressed in black on both sightings but traded her heels for a $1350 pair of white Celine sneakers at the domestic terminal.
When former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama patronised the heritage-listed Balmoral venue in March 2023 the menu items included Coral Trout, WA Marron, Handmade Fettucine and Sydney Rock Oysters.
Led by executive chef Aaron Ward, the beachside restaurant features a 350-strong wine list with seasonal mains in 2025 ranging from a $49 roasted eggplant to a $65 Rangers Valley wagyu.
Harris' visit was a more low-key stop-in than that of the Obama's ahead of which a crowd of about 200 revellers watched on as the couple made for the venue's private 'Good Room' for lunch.
It was a rare public sighting of Harris who has kept a relatively low profile since she and her would be VP Tim Walz were resoundingly wiped out by returning Republican president Donald Trump in November.
Trump secured wins in all seven swing states, improving on his 2016 victory over former Democrat nominee Hilary Clinton making him the second president in US history to serve non-consecutive terms following Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century.
Though Harris has been tight-lipped on her plans for the future, rumour has abounded she may run as governor of California in a bid to oust the term-limited Gavin Newsom.
Branded as Harris' first speaking engagement in Australia, promotional material for the Gold Coast event described her as a 'trailblazer through her entire career, committed in her vision for ensuring all Americans can climb the ladder of economic opportunity.'
Many of Kamala Harris´ supporters and detractors alike think she'd have better odds running for California governor rather than president a third time.
No other candidate in California could match her résumé of having served as San Francisco district attorney, state attorney general, U.S. senator and vice president.
Beyond being expected to make a decision by the end of summer, Harris said little about her future. She told a crowd in Orange County in April: 'I´ll see you out there. I´m not going anywhere.'
To make another run for president, Harris would have to convince national Democrats that she's the face of the party´s future, despite losing to President Donald Trump last year.
She's also tied to former President Joe Biden, whom Democrats are increasingly criticizing as new books drive further discussion about his age and physical and mental readiness during his time in office.
The 2028 presidential contest is expected to attract a large field, likely to include Newsom. Any candidate will have to unify a fractious Democratic Party with low approval ratings and struggling to slow Trump´s agenda in Washington.