The Sauce: Barefoot MP allegedly abused driver on trip home from bar
A ministerial driver drove a senior politician 450m from Parliament House to a city bar before allegedly ‘copping abuse’ when driving the ‘shoeless’ MP home six hours later.
NSW
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A ministerial driver was forced to chauffeur a senior politician 450 metres from Parliament House to a city bar before allegedly “copping abuse” when driving the “shoeless” MP home more than six hours later.
The female relief driver was tasked with chauffeuring the VIP from Parliament House to Hosking Pl at around 6pm on Tuesday. At about 11.50pm, the driver was called up to take the VIP passenger from the bar to Surry Hills.
A source close to the driver said the female politician had been socialising with several others, including a fellow politician.
When the driver pulled up to the kerb, the source said the driver noticed the MP was holding, rather than wearing, shoes.
As the MP stepped in to the car, the source said the VIP passenger yelled out “goodbye” and “the government is f. king the government” to the rest of the group, the latter comment understood to be a reference to the ill-fated relationship between Premier Gladys Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.
During the trip to Surry Hills, the MP is alleged to have asked the driver her age, made comments that she was “lucky to have a job” and also described the ministerial chauffeuring team “a pack of whingers”.
The relief driver is understood to have relayed the episode to her manager, but has not lodged a formal complaint.
“The MP really gave it to (the driver),” the source said.
“The MP said ‘I’m going to use every ounce of entitlement tonight, so expect a long night’ and was very rude. (The driver) is one of the longest serving drivers.”
Revelations of the incident come amid an industrial dispute between the drivers and the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.
VOTE 1 TREVOR THE TURTLE
The who’s who of NSW have been named as possible contenders to fill the void left by rebel MP Craig Kelly in the seat of Hughes.
Within hours of Kelly torching his Liberal Party membership, an impressive list of names began doing the rounds as possible candidates.
They have included high-profile figures such as Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, former deputy police commissioner Nick Kaldas and NSW Rural Fire Service boss Shane Fitzsimmons.
On the local front, Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce and fellow councillor Kent Johns have also been named, along with Catholic Schools NSW chief executive officer Dallas McInerney, who has also been floated as a replacement for Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells should she decide to move on.
The list of candidates led to one local political figure suggesting Environment Minister Matt Kean’s new turtle “Trevor” may as well jump in to the race: “He’s got just as much of a chance as anyone else.”
The reality is that the chosen candidate is likely to be the result of a left-right factional deal involving the vacancy created in the NSW Upper House with the departure of John Ajaka. Should the Ajaka spot be retained by the left, it will the be right that will determine who replaces Kelly.
PICTURES OF YOU
A picture tells a thousand words — unless it’s cropped.
A sharp-eyed Facebook user noticed Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister Gareth Ward had recently posted a photograph of himself sitting with Premier Berejiklian in Parliament House.
“Great to catch up with the Premier for breakfast this morning and speak with her about the important investments our community needs,” he wrote.
“I also thanked her for the great work she is doing to keep our community safe throughout COVID-19.”
Looking past the multiple plates of food on the table, the photo gave the impression that it was a private breakfast with the Premier.
That was until one of Mr Ward’s colleagues posted a photo from the same breakfast, revealing there were others at the table, namely Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Wollondilly MP Nat Smith, Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock and Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman.
In Ward’s defence, we're pretty sure the moderate powerbroker could get a private sitting with the premier at any time anyway.
RESHUFFLE KERFUFFLE
It was slated for March, but it seems Premier Gladys Berejiklian has delayed her long-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle.
Whether the decision has anything to do with Health Minister Brad Hazzard staying on until the next election, senior ministers being unwilling to change portfolios or questions over what the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) findings will be when it eventually releases its delayed draft submissions is unclear.
The latest mail from Macquarie Street is that it has been pushed back to at least mid-year, although several long-suffering backbenchers believe the wait for a potential promotion could be longer.
“At this rate, I’ve got a better chance of becoming a minister of religion,” one said.
Got some Sauce? Contact linda.silmalis@news.com.au
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