Off The Record: Liberal MPs learn you can’t rely on Google Maps in the regions, and a Labor MP has a mixed-up week

In Off The Record this week, Liberal MPs learn about country roads the hard way, and – sacrilege! Labor MP Joe Szakacs seems to support the Crows and Port.

In Off The Record this week, Liberal MPs are quick to jump on Liz Truss’ appointment as UK Prime Minister – and discover you can’t rely on Google Maps in the regions.

Meanwhile, Steven Marshall misses a roadtrip, a Labor MP misses a photo – but sacrilege! seems to support both Crows and Port, and is long-term MP Stephen Wade considering life after politics?

In Liz we Truss

South Australian political heavyweights have wasted no time reminding new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss she remains a close friend of the state.

SA Liberal senator Simon Birmingham recently congratulated Truss on her new-found power as he shared a candid shot of the pair from his 2019 Christmas holidays.

The image shows a hirsute “Birmo” with Truss after enjoying brunch together with their families in Greenwich, London.

SA Senator Simon Birmingham getting cosy with now-UK Prime Minister Liz Truss in London in December 2019.

Birmo, with a self-described “holiday beard”, wears a blue Tommy Hilfiger quarter zip jumper while Truss is also very casually dressed on what appears to be a crisp and sunny winter’s day.

In September that year, Truss attended Australia’s parliamentary Midwinter Ball as a guest, making her the only UK Prime Minister to have attended Canberra’s night of nights.

Birmo and Truss ran into each other again in January, but this time in Adelaide.

The then Foreign Secretary was in town to tour the Osborne shipyard and sign a historic tech deal with the then-Liberal state government.

Former premier Steven Marshall was also feeling reminiscent as he too shared a photo of himself with Truss inking the deal at Lot Fourteen.

Then-UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tours the Osborne shipyard in Adelaide’s north-west with Simon Birmingham and Steven Marshall in January. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Regions love

The regions have had extra special attention in recent weeks from our political classes.

Last week Opposition Leader David Speirs led his Liberal MPs on an Eyre Peninsula road trip before a Port Lincoln “love in”, the journey pollies religiously recorded on social media.

But there was high drama for veteran country Lib, Adrian Pederick and Upper House colleague Heidi Girolamo after they bogged his navy Toyota Prado during a “messy mission” oyster farm search.

“As Shadow Minister for Regional Roads, I take a keen interest in inspecting the state of our roads because we know how important it is that they’re safe for the community to use,” Pederick said.

“Following some mighty rains, I had a slight issue in Cowell where Google Maps guided me down a poorly maintained road.

“A quicksand-like mud pit got the better of me and my 4WD and next minute we were bogged.”

Oops!

When an unusual search for oysters goes wrong. Heidi Girolamo took this picture of Adrian Pederick after her “unconventional exit”

He said Girolamo had to make an “unconventional exit to reach dry land”.

“Luckily, I always carry my handy snatch strap and we freed the 4WD in no time,” he said.

“I’ll definitely be raising this misadventure – and any future incidents – with Minister for Regional Roads Geoff Brock as a matter of priority.”

It is Labor’s turn next week with Country Cabinet on Wednesday and Thursday in the Mid-North.

Premier Peter Malinauskas will lead his 15-strong ministry at a community event a local sporting club in Port Pirie on the Wednesday night.

Ministers will also visit surrounding towns including Port Augusta and Whyalla.

Officials say the last Country Cabinet meeting in the lower South-East was a success.

Government spin flaks also recently held a “roundtable” with regional journos about how they can better deal with country newspapers and broadcasters.

Conspicuous absence

A notable absentee from the love-in was former premier Steven Marshall.

Colleagues speculated this was yet more evidence of their former leader planning for a life after politics, days after it was revealed he was seeking membership to the Adelaide Club.

But an opposition spokesman said he had an acceptable explanation.

“Unfortunately, Mr Marshall was unable to attend due to prior business commitments involving a pitch to a global tech giant to help attract big business to South Australia and boost local job opportunities,” he said. He would not say which business it was.

Upper House MP Dennis Hood was also absent for health reasons.

Speirs is understood to have queried MPs about being united and leaks.

This came particularly after details about his recent holiday to the Whitsundays, during which he stayed on a yacht.

Opposition Leader David Speirs and his Liberal MP team at the party's "love in" in Port Lincoln.

Stitched up

Police Minister Joe Szakacs has had a mixed week.

On Monday he joined his Cabinet colleagues at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Of course, the milestone was photographed for posterity and posted to social media.

Trouble was the Emergency Services and Corrections Minister was airbrushed from history.

Much to the amusement of his colleagues, the amateur photographer – believed to be a senior government aide – sadly cropped him out.

Sources said the room was tiny and by the time it was realised he’d been cropped out, the meeting had adjourned.

But a source close to him said: “They stitched him up good in that Cabinet photo.”

He then photobombed another picture with best mates, Attorney-General Kyam Maher and Deputy Premier Susan Close.

Where’s Joe? Wait, is that his arm in the bottom left of the frame?

A “clearly annoyed” Police Minister Joe Szakacs tries to get the love with best mates Attorney-General Kyam Maher and Deputy Premier Susan Close.

The mad Crows fan also caused confusion after being photographed in a Power scarf and an Adelaide Football Club beanie in the same week.

Joe is a mad Crows’ fan … Picture: Justin Hanson/Instagram

He is a “mad” Crows supporter – despite his Cheltenham electorate covering Alberton – but was proud to support the Power’s “awesome work” promoting women’s leadership in football.

Then he managed to misspell his name of Labor colleague, Waite MP Catherine Hutchesson. He blamed a “terrible” autocorrect for calling her Hutchens.

It wasn’t all bad news, however.

His new chief of staff, Off the Record’s excellent former colleague Daniel Wills, started last week, just in time for state parliament’s return from the winter break.

… or is he?

Blue Swade staying … for now

Mounting speculation that former health minister Stephen Wade might be hanging up the boots appears wide of the mark – for now.

Rumours swirled in the Upper House corridors he was ready to retire his Legislative Council seat, possibly for former MP for King Paula Luethen.

Whispers became even louder after she pulled out of running for Tea Tree Gully mayor.

But “Blue Swade” scotched rumours of an imminent departure, although it is widely expected he will announce his retirement before the next state election.

“I am enjoying working in the dynamic Speirs team,” he told Off the Record.

“I have a range of options for the future, including completing my term in 2026. Resigning in the coming weeks is not one of the options.”

Luethen, who did not return our calls, has resigned as an adviser to Opposition Whip David Pisoni for a banking job.

“Paula has been offered and taken a job – that she applied for before starting at my office – in the private sector based in the northern suburbs where she will be working with her community,” Pisoni said. “She is looking forward to the new challenge.”

Luethen, the King Liberal branch president, was recently embroiled in a row with Federal MP Alex Antic.

Stephen Wade stares down chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier at a Covid press conference in late 2021. Picture: Simon Cross

Frock off, gas and coal

Canberra’s Midwinter Ball is a chance for Australia’s elite to let off some steam while dressed to the nines.

Black tuxedos and stunning ball gowns filled the Great Hall at Parliament House this week, but two women stole the show with eye-catching statement frocks.

South Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young arrived in a white dress designed by Adelaide artist Elizabeth Cahalan. The back was emblazoned with the slogan: “END GAS and COAL”.

She was joined by Greens leader Adam Bandt’s wife Claudia Perkins, who wore a similar white dress covered in red and black writing, spelling out slogans “coal kills” and “gas kills”. Her hubby sported a matching pocket square.

Claudia Perkins and Sarah Hanson-Young arriving at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

They weren’t the only Greens to make a statement, as Victorian Greens senator Lidia Thorpe stormed the front foyer of Parliament House and screamed “fossil fools” at ball-goers.

This year’s ball attracted some controversy due to oil and gas giants Shell and Woodside sponsoring the event, organised by federal parliament’s Press Gallery. They were just two among a raft of sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Lion, PwC, Qantas and several media companies, which helped raise $350,000 for charity.

Press Gallery President David Crowe said the Shell and Woodside sponsorships made up just 7 per cent of the total budget for the ball.

Also, have you ever wondered how much a dinner date with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek would put you back?

The answer is $5000, a bid that won an unusual Midwinter Ball auction item – a “power feast” with the two high-profile ministers.