Backroom Baz: Former Liberal MP Tim Smith’s bold new career move

Former Kew MP Tim Smith has made a surprise career change, swapping the battlefield of Victorian politics for a real Middle Eastern war zone.

More than two years after he crashed out of politics, former Liberal MP Tim Smith has risen from the ashes, swapping the Victorian parliament for Israel’s Knesset.

In a bold new career move the former member for Kew is working as a key adviser to combat soldier turned Israeli Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Sharren Haskel. In his new role he is assisting outspoken Haskel, who previously lived in Australia, finetune her messaging to English speaking journalists.

Tim Smith has swapped Victorian parliament for Israel’s Knesset. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Now calling Jerusalem home, Smith has swapped the battlefield of Victorian politics for a real middle eastern war zone where he is now regularly forced to bunker down in bomb shelters amid increased military activity from both Hamas and Yemen’s Houthis.

Smith had been based in London for much of his time since leaving Spring St where he worked for conservative news channel GB News, at a Westminster political consultancy and completed a Masters’ degree at the prestigious King’s College in war studies which will no doubt come in handy for the new gig.

Intriguing meeting between Labor heavyweights

It’s no secret that the Allan government has been on the nose in Victoria lately, with its polling in the doldrums. So Baz was intrigued to spy a meeting between former premier Steve Bracks and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll this week.

Steve Bracks was spotted at a meeting with Ben Carroll this week. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The pair were spotted at trendy Albert Park cafe Fed, but what were they discussing?

Bracks is an old mentor of Carroll, who worked for him in the early 2000s. They were joined by Bill Shannon, the founder of advertising firm Shannon’s Way, who helped devise the campaign to oust Jeff Kennett in 1999.

Given Carroll is the state’s education minister and Bracks is the chancellor of Victoria University, perhaps it was a chat about the education state?

Or perhaps the elders of the political establishment delivered some frank and fearless advice on how to get the government back on track ahead of next year’s election.

Groth ’steaks’ his claim on another record

Sam Groth isn’t one to mince words – or actions – when it comes to a challenge.

Famous for his record-shattering tennis serve, he’s also carved his way through political ranks to become one of the shortest-serving Victorian MPs to rise to a deputy role in Liberal history.

But it seems he’s found a way to “steak” his claim on yet another record. Upon hearing about the Mighty 1kg Rump competition at NSW’s Gerogery Hotel – 30km past the border – Groth couldn’t resist the sizzling challenge.

Sam Groth carved his way through the massive meal.

In a short 11 minutes and seven seconds, he devoured the massive meal, landing himself fifth on the leaderboard. This achievement was well done and, in a rare sight, was met with universal praise from the hotel’s social media followers.

Groth has certainly proven he relishes a challenge, whether it’s in the pub, on the court or in politics.

Odd political pairing still going strong

When it comes to unveiling a  new relationship, a hard launch on Instagram is all the rage today – but for politicians, it’s not that easy.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell and Labor’s Josh Burns debuted their relationship with a glitzy appearance at the Canberra Midwinter Ball mid last year. But, things must be getting serious, with Ms Purcell giving a nod to her beau – the federal member for McNamara – in her updated register of interests.

Josh Burns and Georgie Purcell at the 2024 Midwinter Ball. Picture: Lukas Coch

When one’s relationship becomes serious enough to flag it as a potential conflict of interest – which is what the register is designed for – who really knows.

But from the dance floor to official records, Baz thinks this means the odd political pairing love affair is much more than just a fling.

Allan ramps up her quest for more likes

Premier Jacinta Allan has been on the record giving tech giants a well-deserved earful about cleaning up their act on kids’ social media. But in the meantime, she’s been revamping her socials on Instagram and Facebook in the pursuit of more likes. From posting pictures of cats hitching train rides to sharing late-night, bleary-eyed updates on bail laws, it’s clear she’s on a mission to grab the online spotlight. Highlights have been photos of her new kelpie pup. And her online attempts are paying off. She’s grown her social media following to more than 90,000, with 76,000 on Facebook and 25,000 on Instagram. Those figures are still wildly dwarfed by Daniel Andrews whose social media accounts still boast over 1.1 million followers – more than any other politician in the country.

Guess who?

Which former MP is mulling a potential return to politics?

Overheard

“My fellow Australians, this morning I visited the Governor-General, and her Excellency has accepted my advice, that an election be held on Saturday, 3rd of May.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese fires the gun on the federal election campaign.

Originally published as Backroom Baz: Former Liberal MP Tim Smith’s bold new career move