The Sauce: Will Kristina Keneally move from Scotland Island to Fowler?

Kristina Keneally says she plans to move to the south west Sydney electorate of Fowler if she runs for the seat … so The Sauce has started house hunting for her.

Labor Senator Kristina Keneally says she plans to move to the south west Sydney electorate of Fowler if she becomes the candidate for the seat.

The question is: Will she be selling up her waterfront island hideaway and what could she get for it?

Property records show Keneally purchased the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on Scotland Island on Sydney’s northern beaches in October 2017 for just under $1.9 million.

The residence was advertised at the time as “a waterfront of undeniable appeal”.

“Located right on the water’s edge, this modern and spacious two-storey home offers the ultimate Pittwater lifestyle at your front door,” the ad said.

The view from the balcony of Kristina Keneally’s home on Scotland Island.

But with the Sydney property market booming since the pandemic, the former NSW premier could expect to pocket a whole lot more than she paid, should she decide to sell.

A property estimation by realestate.com.au estimates with “medium confidence” that Keneally could probably make a profit of almost $1 million if she sells.

As for what Ms Keneally could buy, a quick search of the latest property sales shows there is plenty on offer in her price range.

If it’s a big house near parklands Keneally wants, locals say the suburb of Abbotsbury is the place to head, where homes can fetch more than $2 million.

Located next to Western Sydney Parklands and its cycling tracks and bushwalks, the suburb attracts business owners and “Europeans”, a well-connected local said.

Kristina Keneally on the hustings in Fowler on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

If a big, expensive home is not what Ms Keneally is after, The Sauce was pointed to the equally desirable but slightly more affordable suburb of Edensor Park.

Should a waterfront be a must-have, Lansvale, where homes close to the Georges River
can be picked up for less than $1 million.

Local Laing and Simmons agent Sonny Tran said Ms Keneally should also not overlook the bustling suburb of Cabramatta, where homes are selling for just over $1 million.

“She can easily buy a three to four-bedroom home here,” he said.

Wherever Ms Keneally puts down roots, Labor locals have cautioned against her doing what former NSW Labor MP Reba Meagher did.

The former Cabramatta representative was accused of spending more time in Coogee than her unit in Cabramatta.

“If she just buys a flat here but still lives in Scotland Island, the locals won’t be happy,” the source said.

MYSTERY TRIP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison copped flak for travelling up to Sydney for Father’s Day as half the city was locked down, only to slip back down to Canberra a few days later … and then return back to Sydney yesterday.

But The Sauce hears there is an explanation for the sudden return to the capital, with the reason to be become clear in coming weeks.

Stay tuned.

UNDER SIEGE

His supporters say he is staying on, but that hasn’t stopped a whispering campaign to the contrary.

Two years since taking on the job of NSW ALP general secretary, many Labor members are questioning whether Bob Nanva will go around again when nominations for the job close next week.

NSW ALP general secretary Bob Nanva. Picture: Supplied

Described as “a really nice guy” by those who know him, some have questioned whether the job of overseeing the party machine is for him.

His adversaries say party fundraising has ground to a halt, although the pandemic could also be blamed, while others have questioned the office’s capabilities of running a successful marginal-seat campaign of days past.

When Nanva, who has made a point of not talking to the media, was challenged about whether he would nominating at a Zoom meeting of the NSW Right on Friday, he was silent.

We’ll have to wait and see.

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