The Sauce: Random citizen accidentally included in text chat group with politicians

Transport Minister Andrew Constance accidentally added a random private citizen to a secret text chat group with left-wing ministers and MPs discussing the proposed voluntary assisted dying bill. Read more political gossip.

It was meant to be a secret chat group to allow left-wing Liberal ministers and MPs to discuss the proposed voluntary assisted dying bill.

That was until the group co-ordinator Transport Minister Andrew Constance accidentally added in the phone number of some random private citizen.

The chat was aimed at taking the temperature of other left-wing ministers and MPs on supporting the private members bill, which will be introduced to state parliament by independent MP Alex Greenwich this month.

With right-wing Liberals vehemently opposed to the bill, the moderates are hoping that there would be no more conscience votes this term.

That statement was made in the wake of divisive debate and demonstrations over the abortion bill, which passed after former premier Gladys Berejiklian allowed a conscience vote.

Opening the group chat session, Constance — who last week publicly announced he would cross the floor whoever replaces Gladys as Premier refused MPs a conscience vote — declared how Robert Menzies had “founded our party on the fundamental philosophy of the rights and freedom of the individual”.

“I am not standing quiet to be locked into a party room position on voluntary assisted dying,” he said.

“Regardless of your view on this issue, we cannot turn a blind eye to this attack on the fabric of our party in accordance to its doctrine on individualism. We won’t have a party left if we keep this up. Bega.”

Heathcote MP Lee Evans was the first to reply: “I’m with you Andrew.”

Others joined in, with North Shore MP Felicity Wilson declaring: “I’m so grateful you’re speaking up on this.”

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Arts Minister Don Harwin — who opposes the bill — said conscience votes were the best way of “keeping the temperature down”.

During the chat, which also included Planning Minister Rob Stokes, Attorney-General Mark Speakman, Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Oatley MP Mark Coure, Constance took the opportunity to take a dig at his right-wing colleague Tanya Davies, who has been speaking out against mandated vaccination, joking: “I presume Tanya wants a conscience vote on her anti-vaccine bill???”

Planning Minister Rob Stokes was in the chat. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres was also in the group chat. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty

The group were on a proverbial roll when a text from an unknown group member suddenly appeared: “Ay what is this and why am I in it?”

Constance, who presumably was counting his blessings the interloper was not someone important, immediately apologised: “Sorry we have the wrong number. We will stop texting” before adding: “Some poor punter just learnt that I hate the right wing.”

The group immediately moved over to WhatsApp, shouting down a suggestion from Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello that Signal may be better option.

“It’s taken 10 years to add everyone to WhatsApp,” Coure replied, before chastising Constance over having added a “rando”.

As for the “rando”, The Sauce can reveal the number belongs to a bloke from Moorooka in Queensland, who now has the mobile phone numbers of half of the NSW Cabinet.

ScoMo calling

Pressure is building on Constance to run for the marginal federal seat of Gilmore, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison even getting on the blower.

As The Sauce has reported previously, senior federal Liberals believe Constance is their best chance at securing the south coast seat, especially given it encompasses a large chunk of his state seat of Bega.

Pressure is mounting for Transport Minister Andrew Constance to run for the federal seat of Gilmore. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

And, with the preselection for the south coast seat set for November, some Liberals believe a possible early election is behind the urgency to secure a star candidate.

“Bega” himself has publicly dismissed jumping ship but The Sauce can reveal he has told several of his colleagues that he is seriously considering the offer.

One Liberal has suggested his declaration to cross the floor should Ms Berejiklian not permit a conscience vote on the voluntary assisted dying is related to his Canberra ambitions, with many Gilmore voters in support of the bill.

However, a source close to Constance said a complicating factor was fellow south coast moderate Gareth Ward putting his considerable weight behind a rival candidate.

Given that the PM himself has been wooing “Bega” — the call is understood to have been made in the past few months — surely it’s all but a done deal?

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Pass the tongs

With New York having stepped up its health regulations after being ravaged by Covid, the Australian delegation accompanying Prime Minister Scott Morrison on his recent trip to the US were expecting to deal with some of the toughest rules in America.

And they did — until heading to the dining area for breakfast.

There the posse was surprised see food being offered up in a 2019-style bain-marie, with all its potential for germs.

US President Joe Biden, who was also staying at the hotel, was nowhere to be seen, so we’re guessing he opted for a Covid-safe breakfast in bed.

But his staff were seen happily tucking in to the self-serve food, including White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

Hopefully they at least all signed in.

Covid fatigue

With so many schemes being rolled out as a result of Covid, it must be hard for government bureaucracies to come up with new catchy titles and acronyms.

After the highs of JobKeeper/Seeker, we no longer think they’re even trying.

In the area of apprenticeships, there was the Supporting Apprentices and Trainee, or “SAT” along with “BAC”, the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements scheme.

But the real evidence they have stopped caring comes with the Completing Apprenticeship Commencement program — officially dubbed “CAC”.

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