The Sauce: John Barilaro’s face masks double up as pocket squares

There’s been no whingeing from Nationals leader John Barilaro about having to wear face masks — in fact the Deputy Premier has turned them into a fashion statement.

Some have them pulled around their necks as if between surgeries, others have them dangling around their wrists. 

But one pollie has not only found an appropriate way to store the COVID face mask, but has also turned it into a fashion statement.’

Deputy Premier John Barilaro is both health conscious and fashion conscious.

Not only does Nationals leader John Barilaro source some of his masks from a city tailor, the Deputy Premier also wears them in lieu of the old pocket handkerchief in his suit jacket pocket.

And, for extra versatility, the masks are double-sided to allow for perfect fashion co-ordination.

The Monaro MP’s impressive collection — showcased for The Sauce this week — includes a blue check number, orange plaid, blue plaid, a red check and a dainty floral.

The Sauce was told Bara picks them up on his travels, including from the Macquarie Street pollie-go-to tailor Studio Shirts in Martin Place, and also some from Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

“He has six, but they’re double-sided, so technically 12 patterns,” one of Bara’s advisers revealed.

RACE FOR WARRINGAH

The race to become the next Liberal candidate for Warringah has begun, with four names emerging as the most likely contenders when nominations are called later this year.

Barrister Jane Buncle, 33, has not formally declared her candidacy to party headquarters, but local sources claim her “increased activity” has made her potential

rivals nervous.

Independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The Manly Surf Club member is aligned with the left, and is said to be close friends with state Upper House member Natalie Ward and her lobbyist husband David Begg, who ran against Tony Abbott for preselection in the 1990s.

Sources say Buncle could win the seat against independent Zali Steggall but faces “a torturous path” in securing enough votes internally to become the Liberal candidate.

Should Buncle join the race she will be up against fellow moderate and Manly surf lifesaver Alex Dore, tipped as a frontrunner by Warringah sources.

The 30-year-old PricewaterhouseCoopers senior manager and Warringah conference vice-president has some insight into the failures of the last federal election, having written the campaign review.

Frontrunner: Alex Dore.

Strong possibility: Jane Buncle.

Dore, who has yet to declare, has previously challenged for a federal seat — as a teen taking on Anthony Albanese in Grayndler in 2010.

The Manly resident has also previously received backing from Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Should Dore run, a Warringah source said the seat would be in safe hands: “He could win the seat.”

Former Morrison adviser Sasha Grebe has made little secret of his intention to run, according to a Warringah source who claims the Alex Hawke-aligned lobbyist has been “speaking with party powerbrokers”.

Grebe works as an associate for DPG Advisory Solutions, a “government and corporate advisory” lobbying firm founded by David Gazard, who is regarded as a close confidant of the PM.

Grebe himself worked for Morrison as communications director when the PM was treasurer, before leaving the role when it became clear he was seeking a position in the corporate sector.

Intends to run: Sasha Grebe. Picture: AAP Image/ Julian Andrews

However, Grebe may struggle should hard right candidate Tim James have another crack at entering federal politics.

James, who has challenged twice for North Shore preselection, is regarded as a competitive candidate, but there are concerns as to how the conservative Menzies Research Centre staffer would fare against Stegall.

He will need the support of the Hawke faction to become candidate.

As for talk of other “star” candidates being installed, several Warringah sources declared they would oppose any such move.

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