Backroom Baz: Liberal Party’s turmoil seems never-ending

The incoming media boss for the Victorian Libs seems unsure which party he prefers but it’s their president who needs to watch his back.

News this week that incoming media boss Nick Johnston had previously applied to work for Daniel Andrews sent shockwaves through the party.

The turmoil never ends for the Victorian Liberal Party, does it? News this week that incoming media boss Nick Johnstonhad previously applied to work for Daniel Andrewssent shockwaves through the party.

As a communications professional with broad experience, Baz reckons Johnston should be able to work where he likes. Still, the revelation sparked concern among some Liberals who questioned how dedicated he was to the role.

But it’s Victorian party president Greg Mirabella who should really be worried, amid a plot to overthrow him. Mirabella, a former senator, has come under attack over his handling of party matters and last month faced calls to resign from former opposition leader Matthew Guy. Those calls were in response to a post-election report in which Mirabella partly blamed the former leader for last year’s state election drubbing.

Baz reckons Mirabella deserves more credit, for he’s managed to do the unthinkable: bring the warring factions of the Liberal Party together.

Whispers out of Spring St are that big boss Paul Guerra is strapping in to take over as head of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

Start your engines

Speaking of Nick Johnston, his joining the Liberal Party left a big void at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry where he had been General Manager of Media and Communications.

And Baz reckons the void at VCCI is set to get bigger. Whispers out of Spring St are that big boss Paul Guerra is strapping in to take over as head of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. Several sources say Guerra is in pole position to take over from boss Andrew Westacott when he steps down in June.

News of the move was first reported in this paper in January. But government sources now say the move is close to being a done deal. Mr Guerra is a former chief executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. He’s also been chairman of the Queen Victoria Market and held senior positions at United Health Group, Motorola and Vodafone.

A hard taskmaster

He might be on the way to becoming Victoria’s longest-serving Labor Premier, but it seems people are no longer knocking down Daniel Andrews’ door for a job.

Sources inside the Premier’s Private Office say they are battling to fill key media adviser roles, with some estimates saying they are running with 40 per cent fewer staff than this time last year.

Given Andrews runs a media unit that is considered the largest of any political office in the land, Baz reckons he’ll have no problem getting his message massaged even with the smaller team.

But one wonders why it’s become so hard to fill the positions? Some say a gruelling schedule, and expectation to keep up with the Premier’s non-stop approach to work have turned some off, with even fairly new staffers pulling the pin after the election.

Andrew Katos launched a new career this week as a car salesman. Picture: Facebook

Need a new car?

From a Jack to a King and back again. It’s the way for many former MPs who need to find work after leaving politics.

Some go on to plush board positions, others into consultancy, and some start their own businesses. But being a former opposition state Liberal MP might not be the best way to land a plum job.

Andrew Katos, who served as the member for South Barwon from 2010-18, launched a new career this week as a car salesman. Baz reckons Katos’ stocks are actually improving, given politicians and government ministers are routinely voted the least trustworthy professions.

All the best, Andrew. Discount for cash?

Premier Daniel Andrews with US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.

American royalty pays a visit

US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy visited Melbourne this week, taking time out to meet with Daniel Andrews. It was the first meeting since Kennedy, the daughter of US President JFK, was appointed to the role in July.

The pair discussed “the many connections between the US and Victoria” and “ways to grow US-Australia partnerships.”

As for what else they discussed, who knows? The Premier’s office, characteristically, refused to say.

Overheard

“Absolutely — Mr Lay provided us with a report and the government is considering that report together with seeking to update that report,” Tim Pallas slips up over whether or not the government has received the much anticipated report into Victoria’s second injecting room location.

Originally published as Backroom Baz: Liberal Party’s turmoil seems never-ending