Off the Record: Star prosecutor Sandi McDonald out of DPP race
In this week’s Off the Record, we reveal how the favourite DPP candidate has pulled out of the race, which state minister has had some line-up changes and explain how a master’s apprentice is using dark arts to dunk on his former Liberal bosses.
Just who will be South Australia’s next Director of Public Prosecutions?
While we can’t answer that question yet, we can tell you who it will not be.
Well-placed sources have revealed star prosecutor and current deputy director Sandi McDonald SC — apparently the only applicant from within the office — has withdrawn her CV from the selection process.
McDonald, one of the state’s most dogged and respected prosecutors, is on leave and, perhaps wisely, has her mobile turned off so she could not be contacted for comment. However, she has told a handful of colleagues of her decision.
McDonald was acting director until she went on leave.
We can only assume she did not like the feel of the chair and wisely put her hands up in case it became hers. The selection process has been somewhat drawn-out. After being advertised initially in April, applications didn’t exactly flood in. The job was readvertised nationally and it is understood a handful more were received.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman has recently received a recommendation from the selection panel and it will now be considered.
On the same topic, former director Adam Kimber SC has found a new bolthole at Edmund Barton Chambers.
Kimber finished as chief prosecutor in April after being snubbed by Cabinet, which opted to spill his position rather than reappoint him when his contract expired.
While his practice in the criminal jurisdiction will be restricted for a while because of his former role, expect to regularly see his serious face in the higher courts once this “parole” period ends.
Kimber is also specialising in civil and administrative law, while his particular interests are appeal work and inquiries.
- Nigel Hunt
RIDGY TEAM CHANGE TO PUT RUNS ON BOARD
It would take the most mean-spirited of detractors to begrudge Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ridgway taking some time off to watch his son-in-law, Eoin Morgan, captain England to cricket World Cup victory.
In the wake of Sunday night’s controversial win, Ridgway posted a picture of him, Morgan (who is married to Ridgway’s daughter, Tara) and their respective families at Lord’s.
Unfortunately for Ridgy, though, some are muttering about his perceived lack of runs on the board in ministerial portfolios rightly considered by Premier Steven Marshall to be critical to the state’s future prosperity.
In recent times, there has been something of an effort to “help Ridgy”.
As we revealed last month, chief of staff Scott Kompo-Harms packed up his office after being informed his 12-month contract would not be renewed. The respected Andrew Ockenden, a former Jamie Briggs adviser who has returned to Adelaide from running comms for Sydney Motorway Corporation, starts next month as his replacement.
As we also revealed, former John Howard media adviser and Victorian Government head of media and communications Kathryn McFarlane has been assigned to Ridgway, having joined Marshall’s team from federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Simon Birmingham’s office.
The Ridgy overhaul is similar to that conducted for Police Minister Corey Wingard, who was bolstered with chief of staff Larissa Mallinson, a former federal Liberal candidate for the NSW seat of Throsby (now Whitlam). Former Adelaide Crow and Advertiser Canberra press gallery journalist Ken McGregor was installed as media adviser.
DARK ARTS
Former Rob Lucas staffer and Property Council state chief Daniel Gannon is teaching his one-time master some tricks about the dark arts of political lobbying.
Surprised by Lucas’s State Budget land tax changes, Gannon — also Steven Marshall’s former media director — is engineering a fightback campaign, marshalling opposition among Liberal supporters and the backbench and feeding story tips to the media.
Clearly, he learned his trade well in Lib ranks.
FIGHT OVER WOMEN’S COUNCIL
An internal Liberal factional brawl has erupted over whom sits on the party’s state Women’s Council.
Ahead of its AGM on Thursday, Moderate and Right groups are jockeying for superiority on the 12-seat council.
Off the Record has been told that the factions are seeking control of the council, of which its President is provided a seat on the powerful 13-member state executive. Its members also have a voting bloc on the State Council, which helps decide on, among other things, Upper House and Senate candidates. “The discontent from female party members about the poor performance of the current … council in promoting the interests of Liberal women has reached fever pitch,” said a senior Right source.
The brawl has embroiled the party’s highest levels, some of whom are attempting to influence votes.
There is also a push from some for a generational change to allow ”younger” members a chance to move up the party’s ranks.
Laura Curran, who is Treasurer Rob Lucas’ office manager and a former state and federal MP candidate, is the Right’s presidential choice while Bernadette Abraham, a long-time staffer for Federal Families and Social Services Minister, Anne Ruston, is the Moderates’ pick.
Another senior Liberal source downplayed the factional fight but added: “There needs to be some life and purpose injected into it.”
The victor will replace current president Hannah March, a former Christopher Pyne staffer, whose term expires.
-Andrew Hough
RIGHT STUFF
Astronaut Andy Thomas is one of Adelaide University’s most famous graduates and his alma mater offers a scholarship named in his honour.
The retired NASA astronaut today launched a Space Academy at Canberra’s Australian National University, capitalising on buzz around the lunar landing anniversary.
Canberra and Adelaide might have tussled over the Australian Space Agency’s HQ — it went to Lot Fourteen — but Thomas demonstrates space transcends such domestic rivalries.
GOOD WORK
Extraordinary public support in 2017 saved iconic charity Telethon SA from closure after almost 60 years.
Telethon, which was famous for star-studded TV appeals in the 1960s and ‘70s, was rescued by fresh support for the group’s critical home and land lottery. Rivergum Homes chief Victor Said, who offered to donate three homes to rescue Telethon back in 2017, is again giving the prize — a Mt Barker home. After this year, more than $3 million is expected to have been raised for charity by the reborn Telethon lottery.