Backroom Baz: Was ‘Liberal’ lord mayor hopeful Arron Wood playing both sides at the John Curtin Oration?
Lord mayor candidate Arron Wood is often described as “Liberal” in the race — but he’s not on the party’s ticket and was mingling with Labor faithfuls at an event last week. So what’s the catch?
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Melbourne lord mayor candidate Arron Wood is often described as a “Liberal” in the race, despite not being on the party’s ticket.
So he surprised some Labor faithfuls last week when spotted pressing the flesh at the John Curtin Oration — a major fundraiser for the think tank named after ALP wartime PM John Curtin.
Headlined by treasurer Jim Chalmers — who blasted Peter Dutton as “divisive” during his address — the event included a three course meal, drinks, and entertainment.
Wood, who was elected in 2016 as deputy to now-disgraced Lord Mayor (and former Liberal leader) Robert Doyle, often tells the media that his opponents can’t work out where he fits, politically.
He was seen talking to fellow guests on the way in about dreaded e-scooters. Also working the room was his opponent, current Lord Mayor Nick Reece.
The gala dinner certainly brought all types of political figures together including former Andrews warriors Ben Foster and Lissie Ratcliff to their former opponent, Liberal strategist turned pollster Tony Barry and his business partner Kos Samaras.
Much of the mainstream media attention on the evening focused on the attack on Dutton by Chalmers.
The more attuned to local politics among the room though have reached out to Baz after being left “blown away” by the rousing speech of local Labor figure and JCRC Chair Sam Alamaki.
Could a move to Spring St be on the cards for the well regarded local community figure?
Cake for 100 tobacco-related arson attacks
How many MPs does it take to count to 100? More than the parliament’s single Libertarian MP, David Limbrick, that’s for sure.
The usually no-nonsense Limbrick embarked on a rare political stunt this week, bringing a giant cigarette-shaped cake to parliament to mark 100 tobacco-related arson attacks in Victoria.
After celebrating the milestone in song, Victoria
Police were quick to burst Limbrick’s balloon by issuing a statement to clarify he had indeed jumped the gun.
“We have had a number of inquiries today re tobacco fires,” a brief statement said. “Please be advised we have had 97 fires at premises selling tobacco since March 2023. This includes tobacco stores but also other various retailers which also sell tobacco.” Oops.
Liberal constitution under review
They might have an endorsed candidate running for Lord Mayor, are weeks away from a potentially leadership killing defamation trial and months away from a federal election, but all of that’s not enough to keep the Victorian Liberal Party busy it appears.
The luminaries of the Victorian Division have kicked off another review of the party’s constitution. President Phil Davis appeared to concede now was not a good time to kick off such a riveting review, telling members “there is never a perfect moment to undertake such detailed investigations”. So Baz wonders of all times, why now? With polling showing the state branch has a chance snatching its second shot of government in 25 years and federal Labor on the nose, there seems to be a whole manner of things which could take precedence over a constitutional review: developing policies, finding candidates, preparing candidates, supporting candidates, raising funds, developing campaigns, attracting members, to name a few.
Baz is told party members are frustrated and dismissive of the review and see it as emblematic of all that is wrong with the Victorian Division: introspective, navel gazing, self serving, bureaucratic, directionless and moribund. And it hasn’t even started yet!
Jacinta’s second junket?
She’s not even embarked on her first overseas trip as Premier yet, (that’s coming in a few weeks when she jets off to India), but is Jacinta Allan already planning a second junket?
Baz is told the Premier’s Private Office has the frequent flyer card at the ready, with a trip to China next year already locked and loaded.
Fuelling that speculation was a conversation overheard in the halls of parliament this week in which three men, believed to be fresh from a meeting with Allan, were overheard remarking how wonderful it would be to have her in their fine country next year.
Daniel Andrews made China his second home while premier, visiting seven times in an official capacity. He’s even been back since quitting the job. Baz isn’t so sure Allan, desperate to distance herself from the Andrews, will follow suit, but it would be rude not to get there at all. Watch this space.
Scaramucci snubs Melbourne
He might be one of America’s most astute political commentators, but former
White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci is missing a trick when it comes to Australian politics.
That’s because when the Mooch visits down under next week he’ll be steering clear of Spring St and our fine city. Instead some of Melbourne’s best operators will be heading to Sydney to have dinner with the one-time Trump adviser who lasted 11 days before being sacked after badmouthing fellow staffers.
He’s now fiercely in the anti-Trump camp, hosts the unmissable The Rest is Politics US podcast, and is will visit Sydney and Newcastle to give a keynote address at the ASFA Investment Summit to discuss the potential implications of a second Trump presidency on geopolitics and investments. Baz reckons the Mooch would do well to visit Melbourne next time he’s in town.
Originally published as Backroom Baz: Was ‘Liberal’ lord mayor hopeful Arron Wood playing both sides at the John Curtin Oration?
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