The Sauce: State Library rooftop bar attracts ALP pollies following Labor outcry on plan
The Mitchell building’s initial bid for a bar drew an incensed outcry from Labor’s arts spokesman — but now it’s a reality Walt Secord says he is already planning to join ALP regulars at the popular new pollies’ watering hole.
NSW
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When Premier Dominic Perrottet first proposed a bar on rooftop of the Mitchell building at the State Library, the then finance minister faced an uproar.
Calling it a disgrace, Labor arts spokesman Walt Secord accused the Coalition government of being “completely disingenuous” over its plans to commercialise the site.
Perrottet’s colleague, Arts Minister Don Harwin, clearly facing the heat from equally appalled constituents – spooked by the upcoming 2019 state election – quickly ruled it out.
But Perrottet, who had worked with Lucy Turnbull and Paul Keating on the broader Macquarie East precinct redevelopment of which the bar was a part of, was not giving up.
With the election done and the Coalition back in power, the idea was quietly resurrected last year with the opening its doors a few weeks ago.
And proving that you can’t keep a pollie away from a new watering hole, The Sauce has been reliably informed the bar has been a hit with Labor and Greens.
Among NSW Opposition MPs seen enjoying the new digs include Penny Sharpe and Rose Jackson with her husband.
Greens MLC David Shoebridge - who never opposed the bar - has also made a “guilt-free” visit while The Sauce has been told even Labor leader Chris Minns has also popped in.
One unnamed Labor MP said the bar provided a good view of the corner offices of MPs and ministers in Parliament House, which could make for some interesting drinking sessions.
As for Secord, he admitted he was wrong.
“I am pleased to say that I cannot wait to take my wife, Julia to the rooftop bar in the coming weeks,” he said.
NEW JOB ON HORIZON FOR GLADYS?
She got her love life back on track after ditching dodgy Daryl — now there is talk that former premier Gladys Berejiklian is on the cusp of launching her new career.
The gossip among Willoughby locals helping Ms Berejiklian’s replacement Tim James campaign ahead of next Saturday’s by-election was that their former member had snared
a new job.
One source close to the former Willoughby MP would only confirm that the ex-banker had been “inundated” with offers, but the source would not reveal if she had accepted any.
“If you say the talk among locals is that she has a new job, you’ll be fine,” the source helpfully advised.
However, another well-connected senior Liberal in Willoughby last week claimed that matters were far more progressed, with Ms Berejiklian in “advanced talks” with her future employer.
As for what the job might be, the source noted the former premier’s close friendship with Macquarie Bank ex-chairman Kevin McCann.
Could she be following in the footsteps of former premiers Mike Baird and Bob Carr with a job at the “millionaire factory”?
When we approached a member of Ms Berejiklian inner circle to obtain a comment, it was a case of “if you don’t hear from me …”.
As for her love life, we can confirm the relationship between Ms Berejiklian and high-profile barrister and Eels tragic Arthur Moses is still going strong, with the pair recently attending dinner with friends.
Meanwhile, The Sauce has also been told that Daryl Maguire, the disgraced Wagga Wagga ex-MP, may have a new love interest.
Stay tuned.
LABOR LOVE
Wentworth hopeful Allegra Spender may be running as an “independent” against high-profile Liberal MP Dave Sharma, but the Sydney-based businesswoman has some interesting supporters.
Waverley Labor councillor Tim Murray appears to be one of her fans after declaring Spender to be one of those candidates that made it “OK” for Liberals to vote for her.
The comment was made in the January 27 edition of the Sydney Sentinel, a publication which describes itself as a “progressive new voice in Sydney’s media landscape”, with Murray declaring: “The great thing about Allegra Spender is that it is OK for a Liberal voter to vote for her as she is one of them, and I think that a successful independent in this area is a fairly critical element.”
Incidentally, Murray ran against Sharma at the 2018 by-election and 2019 federal election.
Among the groups helping Spender try to oust high-profile Liberal Sharma from the seat include the “Youth of Wentworth”.
The group’s Instagram account was set up by Lucia Droga, the daughter of Daniel and Lyndell Droga, of Woollahra, who are Spender’s financial backers.
The Drogas have previously donated to GetUp.
Liberal spies claim one of the organisers of the group is a woman called Pnina Hagege, who works as the media adviser for Labor MP Michelle Rowland.
When The Sauce contacted Hagege, she said she had been a part of the group when it was first set up, but was no longer involved.
It appears Spender has also drawn support from GetUp volunteers, with one recently posting a Vote 1 Allegra Spender poster on social media.
Sharma, as one would expect, was quick to question his political rival’s “independence”.
“I think people have the right to ask just how independent these so-called independents are,” he said.
TROUBLE BREWING
Given the world of pain the Morrison government is in right now, the last thing it needs is a revolt over beer prices. But the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) is making it its mission to deliver the government the biggest headache it can over the increase in beer tax.
Launching its campaign against the tax in marginal seats in Queensland and Tasmania last week, AHA CEO Stephen Ferguson found a friend in Braddon MP Gavin Pearce.
Pearce, who represents one of Tasmania’s most marginal seats, was quick to nail his colours to the mast in support of drinkers in his local pubs who were annoyed to find out they had to pay more for a schooner after a “sneaky” price rise on February 1.
Appearing on the front page of his local paper and on Facebook, Pearce went out on a limb to declare that it was time to “cut the taxes on tap beer”.
AHA members will descend en masse on Hobart on Sunday for the first annual awards in two years, with more than 500 publicans and industry leaders to be left in no doubt as to where the organisation stands on the hidden draught beer tax, an industry source said.
In the coming weeks, the association will shift its beer tax campaign to marginal seats in Central Queensland.
The pain for the government won’t stop there, with the AHA already looking to target other marginal seats.
With the cost of living expected to become a key election issue, it will be interesting to see if the government buckles.
Got some Sauce? Contact linda.silmalis@news.com.au
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