Off the Record: How the latest chapter in the Downer dynasty was written
IN Off the Record this week; behind the scenes of Georgina Downer’s push to claim her father’s old seat, we look at who might fill the seats on the new government’s Infrastructure SA board, reveal more government staff appointments and bring the news of an unfortunate accident for one of the state’s TV journos.
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In today’s Off the Record, we take you behind the scenes of Georgina Downer’s push to claim her father’s old seat of Mayo, look at who might fill the seats on the new government’s Infrastructure South Australia board, as well as revealing more staff appointments and bring the news of an unfortunate accident for one of the state’s TV journos.
All together now
THE outbreak of Liberal factional unity that helped propel Steven Marshall into the state’s top job is reaching new heights with Georgina Downer’s expected endorsement to contend for the party’s former stronghold of Mayo.
Once-bitter rivalries that plagued the party for generations are being shelved, with former prime minister John Howard a central figure in soothing hostilities.
Marshall has forged a close relationship with his mentor Howard, whose right-hand man during his prime ministership was Alexander Downer, his foreign affairs minister and Georgina’s father.
Howard has had frosty relations with federal Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne, as the latter described in his 2015 book A Letter to My Children, but Premier Marshall has been a close associate of Pyne.
This intricate combination of alliances, coupled with the Liberals’ strong desire to wrest back their one-time Mayo stronghold from the Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie, has worked to all-but guarantee Georgina Downer a clear run at the party’s preselection, applications for which close on May 14.
Pyne, the state’s most senior federal Liberal, this week endorsed Georgina Downer, saying she would attract widespread support and would be an excellent MP.
On this subject, Off the Record readers will recall this column revealed in January last year Downer’s interest in standing for Mayo, which was held by her father from 1984-2008.
It also is worth recalling the enmity between the party’s Right and Moderate factions for which the South Australian Liberal branch has been infamous, a reminder of which was issued just a week before the March 17 state election.
Senior Moderate and former federal immigration minister Amanda Vanstone pointedly told The Advertiser an anecdote, for a story about Pyne’s 25 years in parliament, that highlighted the once-bitter gap between the Liberal factions.
Vanstone recalled how, on a flight to Canberra with her, Alexander Downer and Nick Minchin, during the Howard era, Pyne declared his greatest ambition was to lead a government, enraging the two Right faction ministers. When Vanstone later asked why he had made such a blunder, she told The Advertiser he replied: “Because I want them to know, however hard they try to grind me down, they won’t succeed.”
Time heals numerous wounds, as does the prospect of electoral success.
But, considering the SA Liberal branch’s record, one wonders how long this nirvana-like state can last.
Digging up a new board
It looms as one of the plum appointments to be handed out by Steven Marshall’s new government and membership is being eagerly sought and awaited.
Before the election, Marshall promised a new body called Infrastructure South Australia to “combine the expertise of the public and private sectors in planning for and implementing our major infrastructure plans for the future’’.
The new outfit was to include five members, plus a further two from industry. It is likely legislation will be introduced soon setting up the group, then a leader appointed in coming weeks. Other members will then follow.
Despite the Liberals accusing Labor of insufficient preparation of infrastructure project business cases and debate over Federal Budget spending, the appointments will not happen overnight.
But this has not stopped speculation about names, headlined by former federal assistant infrastructure minister Jamie Briggs, now a PwC Australia partner. Briggs also is a former adviser to John Howard.
Business SA chairman, Ports Australia director and, until March, Flinders Ports Holdings CEO Vincent Tremaine is considered a near shoo-in.
Rod Hook, who was punted by the previous Labor government as head of the Department of Transport and Infrastructure, is believed to be on the list and also interested in a board spot.
Land Services SA director, Minter Ellison chairman and BankSA advisory board member Mark Butcher also has been mentioned in dispatches, as has former Adelaide Airport chief and SA Freight Corporation chairman Phil Baker, also a Renewal SA board member.
Given some public servants are slated for roles, Renewal SA chief executive John Hanlon also has been tipped.
Seven down
Veteran news editor at Seven Graham Archer had a scary fall at his home last week, which left him with a variety of nasty injuries including multiple fractures. Seven described Archer’s injuries as “minor”, but included a broken arm. However, Off the Record has been reliably informed Archer was cleaning the gutters at his home when he toppled off a ladder leaving him with two broken bones in an arm, broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Seven also scotched rumours that Archer was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, saying he will be back at work next week. Rumours about Archer’s future have been swirling in recent months, with many predicting the occasionally controversial figure was preparing for retirement with his deputy Chris Salter tipped to take over. One dark horse, however, could be Nine’s Jeremy Pudney.
Seven also denied the perennial rumour that its current affairs program Today Tonight was for the chop, with June 30 mentioned as a final screening date.
“There’s absolutely no truth to the Today Tonight rumour,’’ Seven spokeswoman Libby Rayner told Off the Record.
On the move
Longstanding PR man Sean Whittington has jumped into politics, taking up a communications and policy role for new SA Best legislative councillors Frank Pangallo and Connie Bonaros. Whittington started on Monday after almost 16 years with industry legend John Field.
BankSA head of corporate affairs Jayne Flaherty is joining the RAA Group, as general manager government and public policy.
In Liberal ranks, former Northern Territory Country Liberal Party leader Jodeen Carney is working as Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman’s chief of staff.
We also hear numerous mutterings - not yet confirmed - that former Ten newsreader Belinda Heggen is to become Treasurer Rob Lucas’s media adviser.
Tech fail
IN this million miles an hour digital age you wouldn’t have thought a new government would have waited too long before setting up a spiffy new website proclaiming their undoubted brilliance in all things.
Yet, as the calendar ticks around to almost two months since Steven Marshall became our new overlord, there is still no website for the new premier. It is believed premier.sa.gov.au is undergoing a complete overhaul, although with typically Liberal spending restraint.
Some light savings
THERE is at least one bright light that will punctuate the darkness of Adelaide Oval losing its much-loved day-night test due to the intransigence of the Indian cricket board. The Stadium Management Authority will save a lot of money on its electricity bill this year.
In 2016, SMA chief executive Andrew Daniels said the Oval’s power bill had spiked by $800,000 in just a year. It takes a lot of juice to power the 5500 kilovolt lamps that will light up the ground for today’s Showdown.
It was considered such a serious impost that the SMA investigated whether it could become a self-sustaining power station and examined diesel and gas co-generation options.
The SMA told Off the Record they weren’t too sure what the power saving might be, saying it didn’t “have any information available to answer your query’’.
Battle to save animals on the brink at Outback reserve
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Country tradie to face court over incomplete work
A country tradesman will face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court over allegations he was not licenced and refused to refund money to clients.