The Sauce: MPs brought down by Covid after ex arts minister Don Harwin’s send-off

If the Perrottet government’s Covid motto was “let it rip”, it certainly has in the past fortnight, with MPs being taken out like fairground ducks.

It is the annual knees-up for the State’s hardworking detectives — but one VIP was noticeably absent when the who’s who of the police force gathered on Friday night.

After forcing popular and outspoken former police Minister David Elliott out of the portfolio, one would have thought Nationals leader Paul Toole would have been busting to rub shoulders with his people at the Friday night event at The Star.

As the Nats leader, Toole has the right to choose his own portfolio during a reshuffle, and despite Elliott indicating he would have liked to keep the role, it was a case of “adios” as the Bathurst MP staked his claim.

However, Toole sent his apologies — he was filling in for Premier Dominic Perrottet who was on paternity leave — and, showing there were no hard-feelings, he (somewhat unwisely) invited Elliott to take his spot in delivering a speech on behalf of the government.

Of course, Elliott agreed, while seizing the opportunity to take a dig at his replacement — and all his other political rivals.

Ex-police minister David Elliott seized on the opportunity to fill in for his successor, and crack a few jokes at his expense. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

“My successor, the new police minister, couldn’t be here tonight because he had something better to do,” Elliott told the crowd.

“Something about being acting premier.

“Anyway, he asked if I could present something to you — I just need someone to take it out of my back.”

It’s not just Toole who was after his job — Elliott, who is now the transport minister caused premature excitement among his rivals after Prime Minister Scott Morrison began wooing him to run for the federal seat of Parramatta.

While Elliott never lodged a nomination form, those promised a possible ministerial promotion are continuing to agitate behind the scenes.

But during his address — watched by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, who described Elliott as the “best police minister in the force’s history” — Elliott joked how he had a knack for surviving “near-death” experiences and might even one day reclaim his old portfolio.

Acting Premier Paul Toole nabbed the police portfolio when he became NSW Nationals leader. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“In my new role, I find myself for the first time in seven years in a portfolio that doesn’t have a band, chaplains or healthy drinking culture,” he joked.

“I was never a police officer, and on the one occasion I tried to be, it ended in tears, but I was an army officer — for that reason, I always felt a natural affinity with your job.

“I confess that being your minister was both a privilege and an honour.

“I have a tendency to return from near-death experiences, so until I come back as your minister, try not to f..k things up.”

CLOSE CONTACT

If the Perrottet government’s Covid motto was “let it rip”, it certainly has in the past fortnight, with MPs being taken out like fairground ducks.

Along with right-wing anti-vax rally speaker Tanya Davies and her factional colleague, Willoughby MP Tim James, were a whole host of left-wing MPs — with the spread of the virus exposing just who had been schmoozing with whom.

With veteran moderate Don Harwin exiting politics, his left-wing proteges were keen to take part in a proper send-off.

The first opportunity for a farewell drink was at a National Arts School event last Tuesday in the Fountain Court, which Harwin attended before heading back to parliament to deliver a valedictory speech.

Former arts minister Don Harwin has inadvertently found himself at the centre of a parliamentary superspreading event. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Those who could not attend either of those events were able to have a final toast in his office, with MPs in attendance including North Shore MP Felicity Wilson, Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons and Small Business Minister Eleni Petinos.

Federal MP for North Sydney, Trent Zimmerman, did not go to the first round of drinks, but caught up with Upper House Whip Shayne Mallard, whose office is next door to Harwin’s, for a beverage after watching his factional colleague deliver his farewell speech.

The Sauce is informed Mallard and Harwin share an office wall, with some of Harwin’s guests spilling out into the hallway.

The following day, Ms Petinos hosted a pizza night in her parliamentary office for the fortnightly sitting week moderate MPs get-together dinner.

Among the left-wingers present included moderate powerbroker and Treasurer Matt Kean.

A few days later, the sick notes were being written.

The first to go down were Gibbons and Kean, with the Treasurer taking out some of his office.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean and several members of his staff have been taken out by Covid. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Wilson is understood to have tested positive over the weekend, with Petinos confirming she also has the virus this week, as does factional colleague Shelley Hancock.

One moderate blamed Zimmerman for “bringing the virus into the building”, but the MP declared he was the least likely suspect, having only tested positive this Monday.

Zimmerman believes he may have caught it after boarding a “packed train” to the Japan versus Australian World Cup Qualifier match on Thursday.

As for Harwin, who had Covid over Christmas, the former arts minister was still negative when The Sauce contacted him this week.

Mallard also returned a negative RAT on Friday, sending us a photograph to prove it.

As for everyone else, “it’s like the Battle of Waterloo”, quipped one weary Perrottet government minister.

ON THE PUNT

It is no surprise why Australia has a reputation as being a nation of punters.

But forget horses, dogs, futsal and floorball, the latest update of the state’s betting laws spelling out just what NSW residents are allowed to take a punt on might come as a surprise.

Along with the predictable sporting events, the legislation permits punters to also gamble on a whole host of “miscellaneous” events, from the weather to the royals.

Among those in the list include the “official interest rates of the Reserve Bank”, the winner of the Miss Australia Beauty Pageant, and the Archibald, Packers and Booker prizes.

Punters can also try their luck on who might take out the “senior Australian of the Year”, Miss Universe, the Logie Awards, Miss America, the Razzies and the Oscars.

Time for a punt on interest rates?

The Magic Millions Horse Sales are also on the list, as is the Nobel Peace Prize — you can place a bet in each of the categories from chemistry and physics to physiology and peace — as well as music awards, reality TV show outcomes and “a current affairs”.

As for why the laws were updated, The Sauce learned the state government has added “esports” — or video game results — to the list of things one can punt on.

UNEXPECTED ‘LIKE’

Given the next state election is shaping up to be an actual contest, it’s good to see the camaraderie still remains among rival MPs.

The Sauce was alerted to a social media post by Labor MP Greg Warren, who wrote about the need for change — specifically, for Opposition leader Chris Minns to become the next premier.

“I sincerely feel we need a change, a change I feel only a NSW Labor government can and will deliver the change for the things we so desperately need and deserve, not only in our region, but for families across our state under the leadership of Chris Minns as the next Premier of NSW,” Warren wrote.

Among those who “liked” the post? Nationals MP Adam Marshall.

SELFIE MANIA

It has been three months since Gladys Berejiklian left state politics, but it seems the public adoration for the former premier has not yet worn off.

Forced to resign after becoming a person of interest in a NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry — the findings are still pending — Berejiklian still attracts a crowd every time she visits a shopping centre.

“Everyone still wants selfies with her,” a source close to the ex-banker said.

“They still love her.”

Speaking of love, Berejiklian is still going strong with barrister Arthur Moses, although with her new gig and Moses, SC, representing former elite soldier Mr Ben Roberts-Smith in court, it is likely the pair have little time to spare together.

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