Premier, let me be Frank, your housing plan stinks

Chris Minns was on the charm offensive last week in winning over Sydney’s mayors who pose obstacles to the NSW government in delivering its housing reforms — but one mayor was missing. Read The Sauce.

Premier Chris Minns was on the charm offensive last week in winning over Sydney’s mayors who pose the greatest obstacle to the NSW government in delivering its housing reforms.

But one mayor who was absent from the line-up when the Premier held his housing press conference was Fairfield’s Frank Carbone.

Carbone has been making headlines for past few months over his opposition to the Minns government's increased housing density hopes, telling 2GB it would turn “western Sydney into Kolkata”.

When asked by a reporter at the Thursday press conference whether Carbone had been invited to the event, Minns declared he hadn’t.

“I haven’t had a long conversation with him about it,” the Premier told reporters.

According to Carbone, there hasn’t been “any” conversation – long, short or otherwise.

Premier Chris Minns in Zetland about first home buyer initiatives last week. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The Sauce can reveal the pair have not spoken since Minns visited Carbone – and also neighbouring Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun and Campbelltown Mayor George Greiss separately – in July 27 last year to discuss his plans for a new housing policy.

Carbone is angry about a lot things, but especially the lack of infrastructure funding Fairfield is receiving compared with neighbouring councils.

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone and Minns have no spoken since last July after a heated discussion about new housing policy. Picture: Richard Dobson

And he is also upset at the changes to local infrastructure policy, which he claims “unties” the levy collected on homes from being spent in a specific local area to being allowed to be spent anywhere, “such as the bike path on Sydney Harbour Bridge”.

Declaring Sydney needs more “affordable” housing, he asks why first homebuyers are being slugged a GST.

“There are a lot of ways we can fix the housing problem,” he said.

“One is to make housing more affordable by removing taxes for first home buyers.”

Carbone and Minns were expected to cross paths on Saturday night at a local Lunar New Year event.

The Sauce was standing by for fireworks.

SWIFT EXIT

Swifties have infiltrated state politics.

Sports Minister Steve Kamper will be leading the charge of excited mums and somewhat reluctant dads who will be attending the Taylor Swifts’ Sydney concerts.

Kamper, who will be attending with his wife Magda, said he may not be the most ardent Swiftie at the venue but he did like the singer’s earlier hit “Love Story”.

“I’m an emotional type of guy. I still listen to Abba. It drives the premier mad,” he said.

While not being as familiar with Swift’s newer hits, Kamper said he appreciated the huge boost to the economy the megastar would have in Sydney.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “Really, really exciting.”

Taylor Swift performs at the MGC on Friday night.

Swift is headed to Sydney next.

Also attending is Housing Minister Rose Jackson, who will be going with her daughter Charlotte, the pair having bought matching T-shirts.

Nationals MP Sarah Mitchell will also be there, telling The Sauce that she was very happy for readers to know that she is a “massive Swiftie!”.

“I think I am more excited than my 10-year-old daughter,” she said. “Our sequins and friendship bracelets are ready to go!”

Police Minister Yasmin Catley, who saw Swift perform back in 2010 in Newcastle, is also going.

“And I will be wearing my friendship bracelet,” she said.

Catley said NSW Police “Swifties” were making their own friendship bracelets, with the message: “You Should Be A Cop”.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen will also be there, after first stopping by Central on the Friday night to visit the transport team whose job it will be to get the crowds to Sydney Olympic Park and back.

“ … then heading to Homebush on the Swift express,” she said.

Former premier Dominic Perrottet will wave the flag for the “reluctant dad brigade” after being “worn down” by his daughters.

It is understood Amelia, 12, and Annabelle, 10, took lobbying to new levels until Perrottet agreed to play chaperone.

We imagine he will be making a “swift” exit straight after the encore (sorry).

WEDDING DATE

It is safe to say there will be a wedding.

While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon could opt for a registry marriage, sources close to the pair say this is unlikely as both will want to mark the occasion with their nearest and dearest.

And while there has been speculation Albo himself might DJ at his own nuptials, we reckon he might give those duties to one of his rocker mates.

Among the VIPs who may get a call up is US-based musician Deniz Tek, who is the founding member of one of Albo’s favourite bands – Radio Birdman.

The Sauce can confirm that whenever Birdman play in Sydney, Albo will be in the crowd before catching up with Tek back stage.

Tek, who has been living in Hawaii, will next be in town in July, when Birdman play a rare series of gigs to celebrate their 50 year anniversary.

Perfect timing for a wedding we reckon.

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