The Sauce: NSW Treasurer’s brother Charles Perrottet could be set for Senate seat

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s brother is set to enter the NSW Libs’ race for the Senate, but rising star Charles Perrottet has a preselection battle on his hands.

The brother of NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is set to enter the race for the Senate as the NSW Liberals look to inject new blood on the benches.

Long regarded as a rising star within the party after helping to broker the “peace deal” between the rival factions, Charles Perrottet — a former NSW party executive and aeronautical engineering graduate — is among four potential candidates who have expressed their interest or who are being wooed to have a tilt.

Charles Perrottet, brother of NSW Treasurer Dominic, could be heading to the Senate. He is pictured with his son Harry. Picture: Supplied

Desperate for “new blood”, the members of the NSW Right have been working with the Left to track down prospective candidates for the number three spot on the ticket, with incumbent Marise Payne to stay in the top position.

The fight will centre on the position held by right-winger Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who conservative sources say is no longer in favour with the NSW faction.

Perrottet, who is seen as bringing commercial private sector experience to the table, having held several senior roles at BP — he was recently appointed the general manager of low carbon integration for the Asia-Pacific — would be up against Dallas McInerney, the chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, who is regarded as a frontrunner.

Sources say incumbent Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has fallen out of favour. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

Also a former party official, McInerney — who has a masters in public policy from Sydney University — has been touted for federal parliament for many years.

The headhunters also want to engage Sky News commentator Peta Credlin (who also writes a column in this paper), a trained lawyer and former chief-of-staff to Tony Abbott, who has long been viewed as a formidable candidate.

Also on the list is the Liberal Party’s NSW Treasurer Michael Hughes, a well-connected board member whose fundraising efforts have been attributed to helping deliver both the Morrison and Berejiklian governments election-winning campaigns.

Hughes, who is Malcolm Turnbull’s brother-in-law, is a strong advocate for conservative politics.

The preselection is touted for July.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

Wearing a cap and activewear, Gladys Berejiklian was barely recognisable when she turned up to a group exercise class at the Health + Fitness Studio near her North Shore home on Saturday morning.

Facing one of her biggest weeks, with the start of the vaccine rollout, it’s no surprise the Premier took time out for some stress-beating exercise.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian heads off for a workout. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

A spy told The Sauce the session — run by Australian jujitsu champion Graham Hyland — was one regularly attended by 2GB host Ben Fordham, who also happened to be there.

Hyland’s Instagram account shows several media types attending the small group sessions, including Fordham’s wife, Seven News Presenter Jodie Speers, and 2GB Afternoons host Deborah Knight.

With filming for the next season of Australian Ninja Warrior – which Fordham hosts – soon to begin, The Sauce wonders if this was a cheeky attempt by the premier to get on the show? After finishing the class, Fordham and Ms Berejiklian were both later seen having breakfast at Maggio’s Cafe across the road.

CINEMATIC DRAMA

A struggling small-cinema owner is taking matters into her own hands after becoming disillusioned at what she sees as a lack of interest by federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher in helping suburban movie houses survive the pandemic.

Roseville Cinemas owner Emma Addario is unimpressed with the federal government’s efforts to help small cinemas post-COVID.

Roseville Cinema owner Emma Addario has declared her intention to run as a candidate in the seat of Bradfield as part of the Save Australian Cinemas movement she has started to get a better deal for smaller movie venues.

Addario, who inherited the cinema her father took over 50 years ago, has accused Fletcher of doing little to help owners survive post-COVID.

This includes introducing laws to require movie distributers to keep the traditional three-month “theatrical window” for cinemas to show new-release movies in cinemas before they are allowed to shown on pay-per-view streaming services.

“France and Turkey have recently legislated this and Italy are about to, but Fletcher said no,” she said.

Addario claimed when she met Fletcher in December to discuss her predicament, he suggested she close the cinema and “sell it to developers”. “That’s when I made up my mind to do something about this situation and him,” she said.

Addario said she was counting on some of the buyers of the 96,000 movie tickets she has sold to locals joining her in her fight.

QUARANTINE BABIES

There may be talk of the nation facing a “COVID baby bust” but it appears the reverse is the case over at the office of Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Minister Bronnie Taylor, where three staff have had or are having a baby.

The baby boom began in October with Taylor’s adviser on women Annabel Hordern giving birth to her second child, a son Max.

and Dan Newlan and Brooke Curlewis and baby Blythe.

Baby boom: Annabel Hordern and her son Max …

The following month, Mrs Taylor’s chief-of-staff Dan Newlan became a dad after his partner Brooke gave birth to a baby girl, who they named Blythe.

And the baby showers are set to continue, with mental health adviser Crystal Whitmore due to give birth in June.

Sounds more like a COVID baby “bump”.

MASSAGE BAN

Diversify, they said.

And many small businesses did, but it appears some may have gone a little too far in finding novel ways to make extra cash during the pandemic.

Licensed venue managers were yesterday alerted to a state government liquor amendment regulation, outlining a few new rules. Among them included a ban on small bars from operating as “a facility used for adult relaxation entertainment”.

Who knew small bars had more than standing room only?

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