Coalition comeback: Senator Dave Sharma on the hunt for a western Sydney office
Liberal senator Dave Sharma is making a move on western Sydney where he believes the Coalition could connect with voters on cost-of-living and housing affordability.
NSW
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Liberal senator Dave Sharma is heading to western Sydney.
The former Wentworth MP who not too long ago bought a $4m on a family home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs revealed to us late last year of plans to west, declaring at the time that it was here where the Coalition could plot a comeback by connecting with voters that Labor was failing.
The former Australian ambassador to Israel noted at the time the declining living conditions under the Albanese government with families grappling with the rising cost-of-living and housing affordability.
Asked whether he intended to still set up office in Sydney’s west given it had been almost a year, Sharma said plans were well under way. In an SMS sent as he boarded a plane on Saturday, Sharma wrote: “I secured approval of the Special Minister of State (Don Farrell) to move office out west.
“Have gone out and scouted locations, and (Department of Parliamentary Services is) currently negotiating with prospective landlords.”
ROYAL STUFF-UP
An audible gasp could be heard in the state parliament last week as the hourglass gifted to the Legislative Council by King Charles III during his royal Australian tour malfunctioned.
In a speech to parliament about the gift, Upper House president Ben Franklin declared how the hourglass would not only be “proudly displayed in our Chamber”, but would represent the passage of time and “continuity of this institution”.
“Each grain of sand falling reminds us of the responsibility we all carry, the decisions we make, and the lasting impact they have on the people of New South Wales,” Franklin declared.
With such an introduction, expectations were high as deputy president Rod Roberts moved to “flip” the timer over during the first division – only for it to briefly pause mid-air – and “flip” back.
Asked about the “malfunction", Roberts told The Sauce it was a case of “operator error”.
“It’s delicate and I didn’t want to break a gift from the King on the very first go,” he explained.
“You need to get the balance of the instrument correct.
“It was operator error. I’ve mastered it now and there have been no more malfunctions.”
PLUM JOB
Former state political spinner for ex-Nationals leader John Barilaro turned Property Council of Australia media and marketing boss Ellie Laing-Southwood has landed the hotly contested gig of “chief of communication and media” with the Australian Olympic Committee.
The role – rumoured to attract a salary of $300,000-plus – was created following the departure of veteran adviser Strath Gordon, who is well-known among older journos as the director of public affairs for the NSW Police Force
BOOT CAMP
Minns government chiefs-of-staff and caucus liaison officers were summoned to a half-day party “boot camp” on Saturday, where lessons in becoming “more effective operators” and how to become “campaign fit” were given.
The lectures – held in a room at UTS – are understood to have been given by NSW ALP general secretary Dom Ofner.
TEAL TACTICS
The nominations for the “teal” independent seat of Mackellar may have closed, but The Sauce has heard there is a push for the party to reopen nominations to allow former Pittwater candidate Georgia Ryburn – who actually does live in the Mackellar electorate – and finance professional Sophie Stokes (wife of former Pittwater MP Rob Stokes) to run.
Stokes, who is the chief operating offier for Day Hospitals Australia – is understood to have impressed officials with her campaigning during the Pittwater by-election.
The push to reopen nominations is being led by Liberals who believe the party needs a strong female candidate in order to reclaim the once blue-ribbon seat from “teal” independent Sophie Scamps.
Of those who have nominated, the frontrunners include Northern Beaches councillor Michael Gencher and ex-army officer James Brown.
Stay tuned.
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