The Sauce: Matt Kean’s awkward photo op with KISS singer Gene Simmons

Treasurer Matt Kean was thrilled to meet Gene Simmons after last week’s KISS concert, but the moment turned awkward when the singer issued an order.

Not sure what kind of pollie encounters Kiss co-lead singer Gene Simmons has had in the past given the “advice” he passed on to NSW Treasurer Matt Kean last week.

Kean had attended the gig with his partner Wendy when the pair asked if they could have a quick pic with the veteran rocker.

“Don’t grab my arse!” Simmons instructed a bemused Kean as they posed.

Matt Kean and partner Wendy with KISS singer Gene Simmons.

ELLIOTT’S GREATEST HITS

When Transport Minister David Elliott saw his doctor after a recent health scare, he said he half-expected to be told how his “liver needed dry-cleaning”.

It was a lighthearted take on what could have been a more serious conversation — Elliott has since been medically cleared of anything too sinister.

Given his form during the latest showdown with the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) — when he said the union “shat on me from great height” — it is clear not even a health scare is enough to stop the one-liners.

With the Baulkham Hills MP still waiting on Liberal Party officials to determine which seat may be available for him to nominate in given his own will be abolished, The Sauce decided it was timely to compile a list of the frontbencher’s most memorable lines.

Transport Minister David Elliott is quick with a one-liner. Picture: Richard Dobson

Police Minister Paul Toole became an easy target after using his “first pick” right as Nationals leader to steal Elliott’s beloved police portfolio. At a police gathering soon after Toole took on the new role, Elliott used his speech to declare how his successor had asked him to present a gift “but I just need someone to remove it from my back”.

Treasurer Matt Kean has been a repeat target, with his left-wing leanings unpalatable to the centre-right MP.

Elliott also blamed Kean (and Employee Relations Minister Damien Tudehope) for the protracted rail dispute after the pair declared the government would not bow to union demands.

“That’s what you get when you send a boy in to do a man’s job,” he said.

Elliott has also told colleagues how Kean was “about as popular as a beer at a Baptist picnic”.

As for the rail union, it got off lightly with the “shat” comment.

Walking out of an earlier meeting, Elliott declared it was simply impossible to satisfy the union demands, saying: “If they were at a Roman orgy they’d complain about the grapes.”

SEAT SCUFFLES

The wife of high-profile Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun is making a play for the state seat of Holsworthy after lodging her application to the Liberal Party this week.

The Liberal-held seat is represented by Melanie Gibbons, who is on a promise to be promoted into a ministry after withdrawing as a candidate for the federal seat of Hughes.

The long-awaited promotion has been stalled by the lack of ministerial vacancies.

Tina Ayyad has applied for preselection for Holsworthy.

However, it appears Gibbons may now have to first face off against former Liverpool councillor Tina Ayyad unless party officials intervene.

One Liberal source speculated a deal might be done whereby Gibbons takes on the seat of Miranda, although its MP Eleni Petinos has yet to publicly declare her intentions.

Over in Strathfield, businesswoman Bridget Sakr — whose 11-year-old daughter Veronique was tragically killed in the Oatlands crash — has turned down Liberal Party approaches to contest the state election.

It is understood Sakr wants to focus on her family.

Another preselection scuffle is expected to take place in the Liberal seat of Davidson, with incumbent MP Jonathan O’Dea expected to announce his retirement in coming days.

Among the frontrunners are Matt Cross, who was an adviser in the offices of former premiers Mike Baird and Barry O’Farrell.

TRAVEL BILL

The bill to taxpayers for an overseas trade mission undertaken by Premier Dominic Perrottet has come in at $294,633, with Covid testing and increased flight and travel costs blamed for driving up the cost.

The Premier led a delegation to Japan, South Korea and India from July 20-30, his first overseas visit since taking on the top job.

Premier Dominic Perrottet at the Hie Shrine in Akasaka, Tokyo. Picture: Office of NSW Premier

The ministerial travel report lodged with the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet said the nine-day trip included airfares of $153,877, including more than $84,000 for Perrottet and five staff.

Another $40,039 was spent on airfares for three government and department officials, with $29,375 for three NSW Police officers.

Accommodation totalled $51,053, including $23,263 for the Premier and his staff.

Ground transport for the delegation and accompanying media cost $37,668 with $10,558 spent on meals and refreshments. And $2356 was spent on official gifts for presentation.

MINISTERIAL SHUFFLE

The Premier will have to soon figure out what to do with dumped minister Stuart Ayres coming back into cabinet, should the Penrith MP be cleared by a review under way into his conduct.

The question is whether Perrottet will use the review decision to trigger his last reshuffle before the March state election, or wait until more ministers have decided on whether they plan to go around again.

PAYING DEBTS

WHILE most Liberals are fundraising for the upcoming NSW election, others are passing the bucket around to pay the bills for their federal campaigns.

But given the VIPs Liberal candidate for Bennelong Simon Kennedy attracted to his event last Wednesday, he will have no problems fixing up the debt.

Among those spotted at the function at new Asian fusion restaurant Luna Lu were Mike Cannon-Brookes, Clubs NSW boss Josh Landis and Star chair Ben Heap.

Guests speakers were Matt Kean and Paul Fletcher.

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