The Sauce: MPs’ rookie error as they pose in front of The Reject Shop

Photographers spend entire campaigns waiting for politicians to stand outside a Reject Shop to snap a picture that tells a thousand words ... but this campaign the pollies did it all by themselves.

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A picture says a thousands words — in this case: “Where the hell were the advancers?”

Liberal Party Facebook followers were yesterday bemused to see a class photograph of their local MPs standing in front of The Reject Shop. Yep. A set-up that political news photographers seek out on campaigns — remember Tony Abbott in front of The Reject Shop?

But there it was — Federal Hume MP Angus Taylor, outgoing NSW Goulburn MP Pru Goward and her replacement Wendy Tuckerman, all posing in front of the same shop.

Now you see it .... Angus Taylor (far right), Wendy Tuckerman and Pru Goward (centre) pose in front of The Reject Shop. Picture: Facebook

The picture was uploaded to the Facebook pages of Ms Goward and Ms Tuckerman.

A Facebook follower alerted the MPs to the rookie error but not before the photo had been shared around.

Several hours later, the photograph vanished, only to be reposted with a savage crop with the offending sign removed.

With The Reject Shop having 350 stores across Australia, photographers are potentially in for a fun campaign.

Now you don’t .... the crudely cropped replacement shot. Picture: Facebook

CIOBO FOMO

Federal Defence Industry Minister Steven Ciobo is having trouble letting go of his old portfolio.

As the former trade and tourism minister, his name was guaranteed to be on the guest list for G’day USA every January and, according to our spies, Ciobo was always among the last to leave the after-party.

Simon Birmingham attends the 2019 G’Day USA Gala. Picture: John Sciulli

But despite Simon Birmingham taking the trade reins after Scott Morrison’s Cabinet reshuffle, Ciobo didn’t want to miss out on rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars at last weekend’s event, securing himself a ticket.

Even more surprising is that he made the trip to California via the World Economic Forum in Davos.

His travel plans begged the question — who footed the bill to Switzerland and the US?

Not taxpayers, according to Ciobo’s spokesman. The minister paid for the global adventure out of his own pocket. Very deep pockets.

POLLIE PANELS

Who will win at the ballot box isn’t the only question on March 23. The other is: which politicians will appear on television panels to deliver some scintillating election coverage? After some toing and froing, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has joined the line-up on Channel 7.

Former premier Morris Iemma is set to provide electiona commentary on Nine. Picture: Adam Yip

Over on rival Nine, former Labor premier Morris Iemma is locked in, with Mike Baird a maybe. Roads Minister Melinda Pavey has been asked but is still undecided.

Meanwhile, the ABC, normally the highest-rating coverage thanks to election guru Antony Green, has booked opposition transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay.

Calls have also been made to Dominic Perrottet, with the NSW Treasurer yet to confirm his appearance on Aunty.

WASTE WATCH

He is tall, brandishing a backpack and wearing dark sunglasses.

A police investigation is under way into the mystery man spotted rifling through the garbage bins outside the Labor Party headquarters in Sussex St last weekend.

A witness, who photographed the alleged offender, is understood to have told police he was pulling documents from the bins.

Police are investigating an unidentified male who has been filmed going through garbage bins outside Labor Party offices in Sydney. Supplied

After realising he had been photographed, the man fled the scene.

While the bins were located outside the office, they were technically located on private property.

If anyone recognises the person in the photograph, The Sauce suggests alerting police.

As for whether the man was simply looking for a can to cash in or the scoop on a Labor policy, stay tuned for any Morrison government scoops.

The NSW ALP office declined to comment.

DIRT UNIT

Career Liberal staffer John Macgowan has left his job in Planning Minister Anthony Roberts’ office to spearhead the party’s “accountability unit”, which in plain speak is a dirt unit.

Select staffers at Macquarie St on Thursday packed up their desks and headed down to Liberal campaign headquarters on William St.

John Macgowan will spearhead the Liberal Party’s ‘accountability unit. Picture: Cameron Richardson

A hard-right backroom operator who once worked at the Liberal’s preferred campaign strategist Crosby Textor, Macgowan has taken leave without pay.

According to Sauce correspondent Jack Morphet, Macgowan prefers to think of his role as an “accountability measure” to keep the Labor opposition honest.

The Liberal Party got in touch on their own volition to clarify Macgowan’s job title is in
fact a “media adviser”, and his job will be to “test the veracity of any opposition claims”.

Macgowan was once a senior adviser to NSW police minister Mike Gallacher, who resigned in 2017 for alleged involvement in a scheme to receive illegal donations.

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