The Sauce: Former Perrottet staffer Peter Phelps blasts Liberals on their return to opposition benches

A former Dominic Perrottet staffer has delivered a stunning attack on Liberal MPs calling them feckless, lazy and lacking in conviction among other insults. Also, why does the Liberal Party owe David Sharma almost $100k.

A former senior staffer in the office of ex-premier Dominic Perrottet has delivered a withering attack at the NSW Coalition, declaring MPs contributed to the election loss for being “feckless, lazy, blancmanges” who “didn’t stand for anything”.

And for those who had turned up to parliament declaring how “great” it was to be back, the former Office of the Premier of NSW executive director – parliament Peter Phelps had this to say: “You guys lost”.

“You lost because you were feckless, lazy, blancmanges who didn’t stand for anything and so you fell for everything,” he posted to social media.

“You should be quietly crawling back to your own vomit with your tail between your legs … or telling us about how you’re going to smash Labor. Nothing else.

“It’s not like you’re back at school for year 10 after the summer break.”

Peter Phelps had some harsh words for returning Liberals. Picture: Richard Dobson

The tirade by Phelps – once a member of parliament himself – follows a tumultuous few weeks for the Coalition with bickering over the deputy Liberal position – eventually filled by Natalie Ward after a controversial party rule change.

Phelps, whose posts were “liked” by an array of sniggering Liberals – and duly shared to The Sauce – reminded MPs how being in Opposition “the way it is meant to be done” was akin to having fallen into a septic tank.

“If you stand tip-toe you can just breathe, but every breath you take smells of excrement,” he wrote.

He said making a few speeches “to suck up to the locals” and turning up to “ethnic fetes, school assemblies and Rotary dinners” was no longer good enough.

“To win government we need to take seats,” he said.

“And you cannot do that being a ‘good local member’. You have to defeat the incumbent government. That means attacking day after day after day.

“I’m not sure anyone in NSW Libs (organisat­ional or Parliamentary) has yet woken up to see the new dawn facing them.”

Well said.

COP THIS

Given the public relations disaster enveloping NSW Police following tasering of elderly Cooma resident Clare Nowland, whoever is to take on the vacant media adviser role in the office of the new Police Minister Yasmin Catley will have their work cut out.

Despite politicians championing truth and transparency, many government departments spend more effort finding ways to obfuscate than answering questions or providing facts.

In the case of NSW Police, the media release failing to mention the use of a taser gun in the “critical incident” in Cooma, or sidestepping the fact that police are speaking with a woman believed to be the mother of the abandoned Blacktown baby.

Mark Speakman is looking for a media adviser. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Also still looking for a media adviser is State opposition leader Mark Speakman.

Up in the Legislative Council, Nationals MP Ben Franklin is also seeking a helping hand after defying his party’s leadership by accepting an offer by Premier Chris Minns to become upper house president.

In a post on LinkedIn this week, Franklin – who is mates with Minnsy – said he was on the hunt for an assistant or office manager “to work with me in the president’s office”.

Within the government, several former Labor government staff have returned such as Zoe Allebone, who has taken up a job in the office of Customer Service Minister Jihad Dib.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Jo Haylen has hired Scott Gartrell, cousin of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s chief-of-staff Tim Gartrell.

SENATE SNAFU

In a sign the upcoming senate selection might be a tight race, a supporter of one of the six candidates has objected to Opposition leader Mark Speakman being on the list of selectors.

Under Liberal Party rules, only the federal leader or representative is allowed to participate. MPs – state or federal – are also not allowed to take part.

As a result of the “challenge”, The Sauce has learned three MPs have been struck off the selector’s list, including Speako.

CREDIT DUE

Former Liberal MP Dave Sharma got his party out of a pickle when he offered his personal credit card to pay for social media ads in the lead-up to the last federal election.

Sure, it was his campaign to try and defend the federal seat of Wentworth against “teal” Allegra Spender – but surely that’s what the party is for.

The Wentworth FEC apparently couldn’t help at the time as social media requires a credit card to be linked to one of its accounts in order for advertising to be paid.

Apparently, Wentworth Libs still rely on cash, cheques and bank transfers.

Former Liberal MP David Sharma is owed money by the party for paying for his own party advertising. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

But a year on, Sharma – who raised about $1.5m towards his campaign – remains about $95,000 out-of-pocket.

And The Sauce hears the cash-strapped Liberal Party HQ is now trying to pass on up to $160,000 in on other bills on to the Wentworth branch, including for staffing and polling.

It is understood talks are under way between the branch and HQ about the debts, which were revealed during last Thursday’s action-packed Wentworth AGM.

The Sauce was unable to confirm with King that his pitch for the presidency include a promise to open up an office in Double Bay where locals could drop in for “tea and cakes”

CLUB BOSS

The hunt for a new Clubs boss has reached the pointy end with an announcement expected in a matter of weeks.

Almost four months since the organisation’s board fired then Clubs NSW Josh Landis for linking then premier Dominic Perrottet’s religion with his push for gambling reform, recruiters from Korn Ferry are drafting up a shortlist.

One well-connected source claimed some of the recruiters had been asking around for suitable female candidates, although it is understood Clubs NSW has not indicated a gender preference.

Among the array of executive, industry and political names doing the rounds as being possible candidates include Wes Lambert, who is the former chief executive of the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association.

Several members of the Australian Turf Club have also been named.

It will be no picnic for whoever lands the job.

While Premier Chris Minns went to the state election with a less aggressive gambling reform package than Dominic Perrottet, crossbenchers have demanded a tougher stance.

The question of who might replace Landis would have no doubt been dissected at the Clubs NSW annual club and community awards night on Thursday night when more than 800 guests rolled into the Big Top at Luna Park for the knees-up.

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