Just 24 hours after Meghan Markle officially confirmed her high-profile return to Australian television as co-host of a rebooted Junior MasterChef, Victorian politicians have moved to close the door on state-funded protection.
Both sides of the political aisle in Victoria have publicly declared that taxpayers will not foot the bill for the Duchess of Sussex’s security arrangements when she arrives in Melbourne for multi-week production shoots early next year.
Bipartisan Pushback in Victoria
With state elections approaching, political leaders were swift to make their stances clear on public expenditure for non-working royals visiting on private commercial contracts:
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The Labor Government’s Stance: According to Melbourne’s Herald Sun, a spokesperson for the Carroll government firmly dismissed the prospect of underwriting the Duchess’s protection, stating that Labor will not contribute public funds toward her private security detail if re-elected.
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The Coalition’s Refusal: Opposition Leader Jess Wilson issued an equally blunt declaration, assuring voters that a Liberal-National government would take a hard line:“Not a single cent of Victorian taxpayer money should be spent on this. And under a Liberal and Nationals government I lead, it wouldn’t be.”
The unified political response means the cost of close personal protection during filming will fall squarely on either the Duchess herself or the network producing the show.
The Screen Comeback: Co-Hosting Junior MasterChef
The security controversy followed hot on the heels of Paramount Australia’s announcement that the Duchess, 45, will co-anchor the revived culinary competition on Network 10 alongside veteran chef and TV personality Poh Ling Yeow.
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An “Easy Yes”: Highlighting her enthusiasm for working with young culinary hopefuls, Meghan stated:“I had an incredible time with the whole team at MasterChef this past April, so when they approached me to come back and work with this young group of talent, it was an easy yes. I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what they cook up.”
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Ratings Driver: Network executives were keen to secure the Duchess after her guest-judge appearance during Season 18 of MasterChef Australia—where contestants cooked a meal “fit for a duchess”—delivered the franchise’s highest Sunday viewership figures since 2023.
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Network Statement: Paramount praised the pairing, noting that “with Poh’s culinary expertise and Meghan’s enthusiasm for cooking and nurturing young talent, Junior MasterChef Australia promises to serve up plenty of inspiration.”
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details & Background |
| Role | Co-host of Junior MasterChef Australia alongside Poh Ling Yeow |
| Network & Location | Paramount Australia / Network 10; filming in Melbourne |
| Broadcast Target | Set to air across Australia in 2027 following early 2027 production |
| Security Status | State protection formally denied; zero taxpayer funding approved by both Labor and Coalition leaders |
| Ratings Precedent | April 2026 guest spot drove MasterChef Australia’s strongest Sunday ratings in three years |