Labor powerbrokers get to the meat of the matter in new clubhouse
Historically, Labor power players have brokered deals over special fried rice and some sweet-and-sour pork, but now they have a new spot for discussing meaty matters.
NSW
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So when it comes to Labor’s new clubhouse — it’s time to move over Golden Century, and see you later House of Guangzhou. It looks like the ALP’s power people have now traded in chopsticks for chops.
On a recent visit to Matt Moran’s recently retooled CBD meat market, Chophouse (where we enjoyed a tidy lunchtime fillet and a glass of delightful Malbec) The Daily Telegraph spotted no end of Labor identities, ranging from Deputy Leader Richard Marles to Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon.
But it was a lunchtime crew that included not just Labor legend and former environment minister (more about which in a moment) Graham Richardson but also NSW’s own Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean.
Could it be that over some of NSW’s finest produce the pair might be looking to cement a cross-party relationship for the greater good of Mother Earth?
We asked Kean if there was any truth to rumours that Richo was next cab off the rank to replace Malcolm Turnbull at the new Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board.
“We will go through a thorough process to ensure we get the right person for the gig,” Kean said, brushing off the notion.
ACA VET IN VOURT AGAINST PAL
Grant Williams, former executive producer of A Current Affair and now the number one media adviser to Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, is set to be a witness for the prosecution in a case against one of his old colleagues.
A former copper himself before turning journalist, Williams will take the stand in the next few days in the trial of veteran journalist Steve “the Bar Rat’’ Barrett in King St Courthouse over blackmail allegations. Barrett is strenuously denying the allegations.
The jury was informed of Williams’ upcoming appearance in the opening address earlier this week. The trial has taken three years to reach court.
DUMPED BONDS BACK IN THE RUNNING
As NSW political parties scrambled this week to announce their by-election candidates, there’s still a dark horse in the mix.
Stuart Bonds — who came close to unseating Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon at the last federal election — isn’t ready to give up on politics after being dumped by One Nation.
Bonds — who was labelled in the last campaign a “heavily tattooed hunk” — found his platform arguing for coalminer rights.
Now he’s been seen spending time with the NSW Nationals.
After posing for a photo with Deputy Premier John Barilaro, then turning up for a beer and a steak at the Nationals’ Polls in the Pub event at the Royal Hotel in Muswellbrook, Confidential Unleashed hears he was due to have a coffee with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan this week as well.
Bonds told Unleashed he was still weighing his political future, and was also meeting with the Shooters Fishers and Farmers.
It would be uncomfortable viewing for One Nation to watch their former rising star campaign to help another party to victory.
But Bonds is also still considering running as an independent which could see him take them all on.
KILLER CONFUSION WITH SEX SWITCH
Cross-dressing serial killer Reginald Arthurell, who is now known as Regina and is undergoing a sex change, has presented some problems for her parole officers.
Part of her conditions, as is the case with all recent parolees — and particularly killers — is that they not alter their appearance dramatically.
“The police officers that support these (parole checks) occasionally do surveillance, and if they didn’t know the colour of a wig or the length they may be unable to recognise the defendant and be unable to do their job,” Justice Helen Wilson said on Thursday.
“It seems to me there must be some middle ground. If she has natural hair one day and a long blonde wig the other day it could cause a problem with surveillance and recognition.”
Now 75, Arthurell has recently been released from jail for killing Venet Mulhall in 1997 but was not present in court because she was undergoing a medical procedure.
“The process has started … As I understand, it will be complete by August, with some done today,” her lawyer said.
A compromise was eventually set, with the judge declaring Arthurell must “as soon as practical notify of a change of appearance, e.g. the possession or acquisition of any new wigs — but not including clothing, shoes, makeup, bags or cosmetic items such as nail polish.”
It was noted that at 188cm, Arthurell is tall for a woman, perhaps making surveillance a little easier. Arthurell agreed to let parole officers take a photo of her with any new wigs on.
Attorney-General Mark Speakman is applying to have Arthurell’s parole conditions extended for the next five years.
Originally published as Labor powerbrokers get to the meat of the matter in new clubhouse
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