The Sauce: Civil war erupts over who will replace Emma Husar in Lindsay
TODAY we launch a new gossip column The Sauce covering the top end of town — all levels of politics, business and the law. The Sunday Telegraph senior reporters Linda Silmalis, Miranda Wood and Annika Smethurst go behind the headlines.
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TODAY we launch a new gossip column covering the top end of town — all levels of politics, business and the law. The Sunday Telegraph senior reporters Linda Silmalis, Miranda Wood and Annika Smethurst go behind the headlines.
EMMA’S AFTERSHOCKS
A CIVIL war has erupted in western Sydney over who will be the next Labor candidate to replace Emma Husar in Lindsay.
In a move to override the warring branches, the NSW ALP office will call for “expressions of interest” ahead of the standard preselection process to find a suitable candidate.
The move also adds “an additional layer” to the candidate selection process, allowing for greater scrutiny of prospective MPs.
Among names being touted is Londonderry MP Prue Car, a former “bestie” of Husar before
the pair spectacularly fell out after Ms Husar accused Ms Car of snubbing her at events on their shared electorate turf. Ms Car has been ruling it out, but her backers remain hopeful she’ll change her mind.
SECRET HIDE-OUT
SO where had Emma Husar been hiding the past few days? After tiring of being followed by paparazzi, the outgoing Lindsay MP “disappeared” last Saturday, refusing to answer calls from both media and party advisers for several hours. The mother-of-three later turned up at the home of a charity mate, before pulling herself together for an exclusive tell-all on Monday.
A senior Labor figure said Ms Husar’s behaviour throughout the investigation had been less than impressive.
DRIVING MS UPTON
MINISTERIAL drivers are known for their loyalty, so what is going on with Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton, who has ploughed through a staggering 13 drivers since becoming a minister?
A Public Service Association representative said the member for Vaucluse never explains why she asks for drivers to be moved on.
“They say she complains about the traffic, the weather and being late, but they are never told exactly,” the union representative said.
It is understood she has been dubbed “the pot plant” by some because she sits so quietly in the back seat.
In contrast, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has had six drivers — four as premier.
Labor leader Luke Foley used a debate on job security, led by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet in parliament last week, to take a dig at the driver turnover: “What are you doing for those workers?”
TRY SPINNING THIS
AS the party hunts for a replacement candidate, Ms Husar herself is searching for a media adviser. A senior Labor source said the positions has been vacant for at least six months.
“No one wants to work for her,” the source said.
Of her former staff, many are undergoing counselling with the NSW ALP office covering the costs after the Department of Finance refused to pay.
It is understood many of the staff were not party members, but from the local community.
HOW ABOUT NEVER?
WITH party polling from both sides showing “overdevelopment” to be a key concern among Sydney voters, could Premier Gladys Berejiklian be spooked? That’s the theory among stakeholders desperately awaiting for the state government to announce the long-delayed Sydney Olympic Park Masterplan 2030.
Government sources say there have been several “announce dates” set, which have been postponed, including one last Friday.
The draft plan promises more than 20,000 residents in “10,700 homes”.
NOT A HOLIDAY
NORTH Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson has come under fire from her political rivals for calling a snap meeting of council tomorrow night to debate four items, including her plans to take a swimming pool tour of Melbourne.
Three councillors — Maryann Beregi, Zoe Baker and Tony Carr — have tried to block the trip, which Ms Gibson says is necessary given the plans to redevelop North Sydney Olympic Pool. Also going on the study tour is Ms Gibson’s daughter, Councillor Alanya Drummond, who holds a PhD in architecture, and council general manager Ken Gouldthorp.
Ms Gibson said the extraordinary meeting was called to overcome the trio’s repeated efforts to stall council business.
“These three disgruntled councillors seem determined to hold up the effective function of council,” she said.
“This is an important redevelopment.”
EYES WIDE SHUT
WAS he asleep or wasn’t he?
His political opposition certainly thought Damien Tudehope was having a kip during Question Time on Wednesday. One even snapped him resting his head.
But the Liberal member for Epping insists it’s “untrue” and he was probably just reading.
“I might have been looking down at my phone because I can assure you I certainly wasn’t sleeping,” Mr Tudehope said yesterday.
“I have a firm policy of making sure I stay awake for the whole of Question Time.”
The MP added he was “entirely engaged” as he was busy responding to the Opposition’s motion on Daryl Maguire.
LOVE YOU, BUBSY
IT’S often said the secret to a happy marriage is rarely seeing your spouse. This seems to be true for the Premier’s media director. Despite her husband spending long hours in the office, Ehssan Veiszadeh’s wife Mariam posted a loving message and video montage to her “best friend” on Twitter to mark a milestone.
The lawyer and advocate wrote: “10 years ago on this very day, I married my best friend. And the rest, as they say, is history. Love you bubsy.”
Stand by for his sparring partners in the NSW Parliamentary Press Gallery to seize on this new nickname.