Rumours top silk hired as Minns staffers await decision on arrest in caravan saga

Ben Franklin could be forgiven for thinking the position of NSW Upper House president is a poisoned chalice given the unenviable position he now finds himself in over the Minns staffer saga.

It was a job too good to refuse – a salary of $315,814 and a chauffeur-driven car.

But NSW Upper House president Ben Franklin could be forgiven for thinking it was a poisoned chalice given the unenviable position he now finds himself in over the Minns staffer saga.

In an extraordinary move, a state parliamentary committee is seeking warrants for the arrest of five NSW government staffers who failed to appear and give evidence to an inquiry examining the Dural caravan “fake terrorism plot”.

Three staffers working for Premier Chris Minns, and two who work for Police Minister Yasmin Catley, were summoned to appear before the inquiry on Friday to answer questions on what they knew.

Rod Roberts. Picture: NewsWire/John Appleyard

Ben Franklin. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

This is because the inquiry is trying to ascertain whether the parliament was “misled” before the Minns government pushed through laws aimed at curbing anti-Semitism given the “plot” turned out to be “a con job” by crime figures trying to divert police resources and influence prosecutions.

With the staff a no-show – it was argued they were being used as “proxies” for the premier and Catley who could not be compelled to appear – committee chair Rod Roberts instructed Franklin to apply for arrest warrants from the NSW Supreme Court for the five.

Roberts, who spoke to Franklin “at 2.45pm Friday”, declared he was acting on the committee’s instructions.

The Sauce understands Franklin – a Nationals MP – faces the threat of being rolled by Upper House MPs if he does not comply with the request.

And if he does, well, it will all be a bit awkward given Franklin counts Minns as a mate, is the godfather to one of the premier’s children, and was given the job by the Labor leader.

The Sauce hears whispers that Australia’s top barrister Bret Walker SC – who is rumoured to command up to $25,0000 a day – may have been enlisted to help Franklin avoid having to go to court.

Exhibit A: Chris Minns’ deputy chief of staff Ed Ovadia with his wife Sue on their honeymoon. Ovadia says he wasn’t in town during the caravan saga. Picture: Supplied

If the saga wasn’t already farcical, The Sauce is aware that at least one of the staffers had a very good reason not to appear on Friday – he was on his honeymoon when the caravan drama occurred.

The Sauce has obtained honeymoon photos of Minns’ deputy COS and policy director Edward Ovadia with his wife Sue posing at various sites, including the Acropolis and the Blue Mosque.

Exhibit B: Ovadia and wife Sue at the Acropolis Picture: Supplied

Ovadia has informed the committee that he was on annual leave from February 5 to March 2.

We also have on good authority that Minns’ other deputy COS and communications director, Sarah Michael, was not in any police briefings with the premier on the matter.

We heard Roberts expects an answer from Franklin this week.

VALE CASUSCELLI

The Sauce is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former Liberal MP Charles Casuscelli.

Charles Casuscelli. Picture: Supplied

A former Strathfield MP, Casuscelli was also an officer in the Australian Army Reserve with ex-Liberal minister David Elliott, who led the tributes.

“He always had a smile on his face, a positive personality,” he said.

“I was in the army and parliament with him.”

A NSW Liberal Party spokesman said Casuscelli would be remembered as “an outstanding representative for the people of Strathfield” and a “passionate advocate for Western Sydney, who served our country with distinction as an Army officer and reservist”.

“He made an outstanding contribution to the Liberal Party over many years, and on behalf of our members, we extend our deepest condolences to Charles’ family and friends.”

Got some sauce? Contact [e-mail]