Backroom Baz: Sam Groth finally gets taken off the bench for press conference appearance

Victorian deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth finally made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance at a press conference this week, after becoming less than pleased about not getting a decent run in front of the cameras.

In a rare sighting this week deputy leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Sam Groth, was spotted at a press conference. It was a bit blink and you’d miss it, but there he was in all his glory, reeling off some lines about the gutting of the Victorian Fisheries Authority workforce.

Baz, for one, was glad to see Groth get the call up and get taken off the bench he’s been sat on for most of the time since becoming Brad Battin’s deputy in December. Senior Liberal Party sources said Groth had grown less than pleased in recent weeks about not getting a decent run in front of the cameras.

Sam Groth speaks to Brad Battin before question time at Parliament House. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

And no one seems to be able to say just why that was the case. Still, it seems no love is lost between deputy and the top dog, with Baz’s spies saying they’re spending at least three days a week together.

That’s certainly more than you can say for Jacinta Allan and her deputy, Ben Carroll.

New social media star taking on mission impossible?

Jacinta Allan’s social media has been noticeably different in recent weeks, with the Premier turning interviewer in a series of new style videos aimed at spruiking her government’s work while showing her down to earth, real, side.

Jacinta Allan has a new social media guru. Picture: David Crosling

It follows the appointment of Deon Savage as the Premier’s new social media tsar who’s been recruited from Queensland where he helped stem the bleeding of Labor’s predicted electoral drubbing while working for Premier turned Opposition Leader Steven Miles ahead of last year’s state election.

Savage helped Miles tap into young voters, something Allan doesn’t need to worry too much about. News of his move down south had Baz’s counterparts in Queensland worrying that he had taken on mission impossible to “make Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan likeable.”

To misquote Gough Whitlam: “Well may we say God Save the King, because not even Deon will save the Victorian Premier,” they continued. Good luck, Deon!

Euroa MP falls victim to Melbourne crime

It seems that not even politicians are safe from the crime epidemic that has been plaguing Melbourne’s streets.

Baz was startled - but not surprised - to hear that Annabelle Cleeland fell victim to the scourge while in town for parliament earlier this month.

The Euroa MP’s Land Cruiser Prado was ransacked by thieves who smashed the back window of the gas guzzler, making off with some tools and a tow bar, among other items.

Thieves ransacked Annabelle Cleeland’s Land Cruiser. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Not even her premium baby wipes were safe from the opportunistic crims, who may have been wanting to wipe their fingerprints at the crime scene.

It appears Ms Cleeland’s car hasn’t been the only one targeted, with the carpark operator sending out a warning to other users that break-ins had escalated in recent months.

Let the honourable member’s experience serve as a timely reminder to avoid leaving valuables in cars while our suburbs remain under siege.

Cross-party delegation of Victorian MPs unite for important cause

Labor and Liberal MPs are never quick to join forces. But when there’s a good cause some can see sense in a genuine show of bipartisanship.

A cross-party delegation of Victorian MPs will on Monday fly to Poland to attend the annual March of the Living Holocaust Remembrance event to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Israeli president Isaac Herzog will also be in attendance at the event. Picture: Saul Loeb

It also marks the first Victorian multi-party trip to attend the event. Labor MPs Nina Taylor, Ryan Batchelor, Michael Galea and Paul Hamer will be joined by Liberals David Southwick, his wife Hayley, newly minted MP Rachel Westaway and shadow treasurer James Newbury. Even Tim Bull and Emma Kealy from the Nationals will head along.

Israeli president Isaac Herzog and numerous Holocaust survivors from across the world will also be in attendance. After the event the Coalition travel group will visit Israel, while Labor MPs will return to Melbourne. Safe travels.

Shock departure of Victorian tourism chief

It’s been a while since Victoria truly was the place to be. But for the past seven years one woman has made it her sole quest to reclaim that badge of honour for the state.

Which is why Baz was so shocked to hear Victorian Tourism and Industry Council chief Felicia Mariani would standing down from her post from July. Mariani has worked tirelessly to boost the Victorian tourism industry, and rests on a wealth of experience from decades worth of working in the sector across the county.

Felicia Mariani and MP Mary-Anne Thomas.

“Felicia has served tirelessly in this role for over seven years now and has seen the organisation through some of the most tumultuous times in its history … from small start-ups to government policy, her impact will be a legacy for many years to come,” VTIC chair Scott Chapman said.

Baz is told Mariani plans to “recalibrate” rather than retire. So who knows just where she’ll turn up next.

Junior Dalidakis celebrates milestone

Jewish affairs have been a big deal at both a state and federal level of late. But has the bar mitzvah of former Victorian minister Philip Dalidakis’s youngest son inadvertently put the future of several hotly contested federal seats in jeopardy?

Dalidakis the younger celebrated the huge milestone earlier this month coinciding with his birthday and locked in the diary for more than a decade. But it meant several MPs in marginal seats took time off the federal campaign trail to attend the special occasion.

And whilst Baz wasn’t invited, synagogue spies say the young man did exceptionally well reading from the Torah. Inspired by dad’s recent trip to Israel, no doubt. Mazel Tov.

Originally published as Backroom Baz: Sam Groth finally gets taken off the bench for press conference appearance