Mark Latham spotted ‘deep in conversation’ with newly elected MP

Has One Nation gone to the dogs? With the Coalition outnumbered in the NSW upper house, some interesting allegiances are expected to be formed among Labor and the minor parties when state parliament resumes.

• We don’t need to shame Latham, he does it himself
• Vegan bodybuilder’s radical plans after Upper House win

Has One Nation gone to the dogs?

With the Coalition outnumbered in the NSW upper house, some interesting allegiances are expected to be formed among Labor and the minor parties when state parliament resumes.

One potential allegiance The Sauce was not expecting is that between One Nation’s Mark Latham and Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst.

According to an attendee at the recent upper house MP introduction day held in Parliament House, Latham and Hurst were seen to be “deep in conversation”.

One Nation’s Mark Latham was spotted “deep in conversation” with a newly elected MP. Picture: Damian Shaw

Is there a possible allegiance with Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst. Picture: Instagram/@emma.hurst

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Venturing over to eavesdrop, the source is alleged to have overhead the pair discussing the merits of “puppy legislation”.

“Latham was basically saying he would support puppy legislation,” the source claimed. Just which One Nation policy Animal Justice will be signing up for remains to be seen.

BOX SEAT

She was a vocal advocate of the Labor “schools and hospitals before stadiums” campaign, so it was with glee that a Liberal spy snapped Granville MP Julia Finn enjoying the corporate hospitality at the Bankwest Stadium last week.

The former Parramatta City Council lord mayor was seen watching Parramatta thrash the Wests Tigers in the club’s corporate suite, Cumberland Lounge.

“The rest of the ALP had the good sense to stay away,” the spy said.

Granville MP Julia Finn soaking in the footy via corporate hospitality at the new Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta.

The same source also noted how awkward it must have been for former Liberal MP Graham Annesley, who was seen sitting among a dozen Liberal MPs.

“They would be the same MPs whom he left at the alter halfway through his first term because, after two attempts and a quarter of a million dollars in election expenses, he decided politics wasn’t for him, leaving the party with a defeat at the subsequent by-election so he could return to rugby league,” the source said. Ouch.

A CANBERRA SPILL

Last year The Sauce brought you the political incarnation of the poo jogger who was sprung leaving an almighty mess in the ladies toilets in the ministerial wing at Parliament House in Canberra.

The situation — which ironically occurred during spill week — was so bad, a paper sign appeared in the ladies’ loo calling on an unknown staffer — or minister — to stop “disgracing” themselves during sitting weeks.

Sometimes you need a sign to call people or ministers out for their toilet behaviour. Picture: Supplied

Now the situation has spread to the men’s, with a permanent metal sign — probably funded by you and I — affixed to the wall in a cubicle in the male toilets near the Parliamentary Library.

The sign, in the staff-only area, reads: “Some people are leaving this toilet in a mess. Your habits are a reflection of you. Please leave the toilet clean for the next user.”

Hard to argue with that …

WIKI WARS

A month after the Wikipedia page of independent Warringah candidate Zali Steggall was locked after being changed to include a mention of the Olympic skier’s nude modelling work, someone clearly not in the former skier’s camp quietly made some late night edits of her former husband David Cameron’s page.

A screen grab sent to The Sauce claimed how Steggall was allegedly “unsupportive” of Cameron’s rowing success.

Independent Warringah candidate Zali Steggall. Picture: AAP Image/Troy Snook

Other additions go further into the alleged details of the acrimonious split between Steggall and Cameron.

The highly defamatory changes were removed from the page by the following morning. It is understood Cameron’s Wikipedia page is now also locked.

FRED’S EXILE

The talk around Macquarie Street is that Christian Democrat MLC Fred Nile’s days as the Legislative Council assistant president are numbered.

Nile, who has filled the post since 2007, is understood to have been given the job initially by the former Carr government in return for his support.

Fred Nile’s assistant president role at the Legislative Council comes with a eye-watering salary. Picture: Bob Barker

The role of assistant president comes with additional remuneration, with the latest remuneration including base salary, expense and electoral allowances, amounting to a total take-home pay of $221,188.

The total salary for the president of the Upper House is $302,071. While Nile has been re-elected another two times, an upper house source said the mood was that it was time to either abolish the role — which would require a change in legislation — or to install a new MP.

Should MPs vote on the latter, Labor MLC Shaoquette Moselmane appears to be the frontrunner to replace Nile, with president to remain Liberal MP John Ajaka.

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Contact linda.silmalis@ news.com.au, miranda.wood@ news.com.au, or annika.smethurst@ news.com.au