Nationals Leader John Barilaro raises the barre with gym gag

An invitation to fitness classes in state parliament has left Nationals Leader John Barilaro scratching his head; and which former federal pollies caught up for dinner this week?

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She hails from Valencia in Spain and has a background in gymnastics and dance, so Paula Coms probably wasn’t expecting to make a stir among the state’s politicians.

But that’s exactly what happened when an email went to NSW MPs last week asking if they would be interested in attending her fitness classes at the Parliament House gym, and not all were happy at the responses that came back.

Paula Coms is advertising barre fitness classes at state parliament.

“Currently a barre teacher and personal trainer in Sydney, her classes are energetic and upbeat with a focus on fitness and toning (cardio, resistance and strength training),” the email said.

“Benefits of a barre workout include improved posture, increased flexibility, muscle definition and reduced stress.

“Best of all, it’s fun.”

Within two minutes of the invitation being sent — together with an accompanying image of Coms in a ballet pose — Nationals leader John Barilaro hit ‘reply all’ with the comment: “Where’s the gym?”

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But those thinking Barra had taken a sudden interest in barre — including the parliamentary staffer who sent The Sauce the email exchange — were mistaken.

The Nationals leader said he was simply carrying on the joke he made in the party room after Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes suggested — during a meeting on abortion — that parliamentary staffers be banned from using the gym.

Mr Barilaro said at the time that he did not even know that Parliament House had a gym.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro is no gym junkie. PICTURE: Joel Carrett

Labor MP Hugh McDermott was quick to bite. Replying to Barra, and everyone else, McDermott suggested: “Ask Rob Stokes …”

According to Barra’s staff, the deputy leader has never even been inside the gym. “He was only made aware of the gym following the leadership meeting with Stokes,” a staffer said.

Will we see Barra in a barre class? We think not (but can only hope).

POWER LUNCH

The rough and tumble of politics doesn’t have to ruin friendships, as former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and his foreign minister Julie Bishop are proving.

The former frontbencher caught up for a cheeky dinner with Mr Turnbull and his wife Lucy at Paddington’s popular Cipri Italian restaurant on Thursday.

Lucy and Malcolm Turnbull enjoyed dinner with Julie Bishop on Thursday.

The Sauce understands JBish was in town for a luncheon at The Apollo Restaurant to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer with A-listers including Asher Keddie and Jesinta Franklin.

Turnbull also appears to be enjoying his new-found freedom, recently spotted enjoying the hospitality at modern Turkish restaurant Yagiz in Melbourne’s up-market South Yarra.

SENATE SCRAMBLE

The Liberal Party is yet to call for nominations, but a scramble is already under way among candidates hoping to fill the upcoming Senate vacancy to be left by Arthur Sinodinos — and by the look of those putting their hands up, it seems past experience is a must.

Former MP Peter Hendy.

Former Senator Jim Molan.

Senator-in-exile Jim Molan has been asking the party for support
for his candidacy. Former Eden-Monaro MP Dr Peter Hendy is now also
looking to have a crack, apparently flagging his interest in running in a recent email to supporters.

Dr Hendy was the member for Eden-Monaro between 2013-16, holding the roles of Assistant Minister for Productivity in the Turnbull government and later Assistant Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister to the Minister for Finance, before losing his seat to Labor MP Mike Kelly.

ASTROLOGICAL ANSWERS

As NSW parliamentarians took to the floor to debate the controversial abortion bill last week, The Sauce was intrigued to find a poster spruiking the services of an Indian astrologer on the Parliament House noticeboard.

Declaring a “100% hope” for “hopeless problems”, Pandit Ramji appears to be able to tackle any issue, from removing a curse (Labor MPs will be queuing up), bad luck, jealousy, “negative reaction” and embarrassment.

Among the more intriguing problems Pandit appears to be able to resolve is “children mistake”.

We presume he is referring to tackling the consequences of kids doing something to embarrass the parents, rather than dealing with unwanted offspring. Another name doing the rounds is Warren Mundine.

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Originally published as Nationals Leader John Barilaro raises the barre with gym gag