The Sauce: Activists harass cancer patient with Greens Senator’s old phone number

A stage 4 cancer patient with a Greens Senator’s old phone number is being harassed by activists protesting against a planned radioactive waste facility.

A cancer patient who was inadvertently issued with the old phone number of Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has pleaded with activists to stop sending her texts — especially about a proposed radioactive waste facility.

For almost 12 years, 51-year-old Leichhardt resident Jane, who requested her surname be withheld, has been spammed by SMS messages and phone calls meant for Ms Hanson-Young.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young. Picture: Kelly Barnes/AAP

The messages have come from journalists, members of the community and activists, and for the most part, the unwanted contact has been an annoyance.

But now a Stage 4 cancer patient after being diagnosed with the disease five years ago, the messages have become distressing for Jane, given her treatment has been reliant upon nuclear medicine.

While too ill to speak to The Sauce yesterday, Jane’s younger sister Angela passed on some of the texts that her sister had received in recent weeks.

Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey. Picture: Supplied

In response to one in particular, she sent back a reminder — apparently not the first — that he had the wrong number. “This is not Sarah Hanson-Young,” she wrote. “My name is Jane and I am a stage 4 cancer patient and have at various times been a frequent flyer in the nuclear medicine department of my hospital. You guys need to get your facts (and phone numbers) straight. As you hopefully appreciate, receiving this propaganda is quite distressing for someone in my situation.”

Angela, who said the number had been issued by Optus, said her sister had had enough.

“It’s very frustrating how my sister is being harassed by the very people who, through ignorance, are trying to make it harder for people like Jane to get the treatment they need to stay alive,” she said.

MPs will this week debate legislation to create a much-needed waste facility at Kimba, with the Greens, Labor and One Nation to oppose the move.

“The facility will underwrite Australia’s capacity to keep supporting people like Jane, and I am calling on all members of the Australian Parliament to support the legislation for the radioactive waste facility, and to support the town which put its hand up,” Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey said.

BARA RESCUE

It was a case of quick thinking when Nationals leader John Barilaro was confronted by a man tumbling down the stairs of the Sydney Opera House last week.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh.

Bara had been out enjoying his daily morning walk with Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh when the pair witnessed a “larger” man collapse head first.

With the man appearing to be having a seizure, the Deputy Premier whipped out his phone before dialling triple-0.

The Sauce hears Bara and Singh stayed with their patient until help arrived.

MINISTERIAL MUSINGS

After one of the her most personally challenging years, ministers are waiting to see what Premier Gladys Berejiklian will do next year when she becomes the state’s second-longest serving Liberal Premier after Robert Askin.

Former premier Sir Robert Askin with the Queen Elizabeth in 1973.

While a lot will hinge on the outcome of the recent NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry — one would think a negative appraisal will demand a resignation — the Premier has so far appeared to have endured every crisis.

However, several ministers say the cracks are beginning to show, with Ms Berejiklian’s seeming admission of pork-barrelling a sign the Premier may need a break.

And with talk of a reshuffle in March, there is some speculation she may “do a Baird” and bail while ahead in the polls.

Gladys Berejiklian would become the second-longest-serving Liberal Premier in NSW in April. Picture: Damian Shaw/Getty Images

“If she leaves in April, she will become the second-longest-serving Liberal Premier in NSW,” one minister said. “She will also leave as one of our most popular ever Premiers — and the Premier that got us through the pandemic.

“She will leave on a high. The public love her. She might decide she wants to go again, but some of us are thinking she will do a Baird.”

However, another minister said he believed the Premier would stay, pending no adverse findings by ICAC.

“She has wanted this all her life,” they said.

TEAM BAIRD

A former strategist in the office of ex-Liberal premier Mike Baird has rejoined forces with his old boss.

Nigel Blunden (right) with his then-boss Joe Hockey in 2011.

Former Nine journalist turned media adviser Nigel Blunden recently took up a job as head of government affairs at HammondCare, where Baird is CEO.

With Baird continuing to be wooed to return to politics as a candidate for Warringah, is the band getting back together an omen?

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