First wives club: Liberal ‘waste’ MP’s partner joins Dutton’s office amid political shake-up

Liberal MP James Stevens’ personal link to Peter Dutton’s office is revealed. Which NSW moderate is being considered for a federal arts board? Which former US legislative aide is here for Mardi Gras? The Sauce is here.

Liberal MP James Stevens has made a name for himself for exposing “waste” within the Albanese government.

The Sauce can reveal Stevens’ partner Alex May has now joined the Dutton team, taking on a role as a senior adviser on policy and campaigns in the leader’s office.

May was the state director of the SA Liberal Party before resigning in August last year.

Her resignation could not have come soon enough given the dramas that would envelope the state party with former Liberal Party leader David Speirs quitting the leadership before later announcing his resignation from SA parliament altogether after being charged with drug-supply offences.

Spiers is charged with supplying or administering a drug (not cannabis) to another person between August 1 and August 10. His case returns to court March 4.

Other partner’s working in political offices include Skye Laris – wife of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke – who has been working as a senior policy adviser in the office of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese since 2019.

while Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic’s partner Fiona Scott (not the federal Liberal vice president) is Senator David Pocock’s chief-of-staff.

Is Don Harwin being considered for a federal arts board? Picture Thomas Lisson.

BOARD RUMOURS

First the Albanese government snagged former Liberal frontbencher Matt Kean as Chair of the Climate Change Authority.

Now The Sauce hears Kean’s NSW moderate colleague Don Harwin is being considered for a federal arts board.

Harwin would not comment – it is not even clear if he has formally applied – while our Canberra sources would only tell The Sauce the process was still “under way”.

According to some senior Liberals, Harwin – a formers arts minister – is still technically the NSW Liberal Party president, although without any powers given last year’s dramatic the federal takeover of the state executive by the federal takeover of the dysfunctional state executive.

It would not be the first time Harwin had sat on a national board, having been appointed to the Australia Council Board by then federal arts minister Paul Fletcher in the dying days of the Morrison government.

There no question about Harwin’s love of the arts, so guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Kirribill home will host an all-celebrity cricket match hosted by Nova FM’s Fitzy and Wippa. Picture: Scott Gelston

BACKYARD CRICKET

If he’s not shmoozing teals and independents at The Lodge (except for Dai Le who revealed last week that she wasn’t on the original invite list – how rude!), he’s preparing for a game of backyard cricket.

On Tuesday, Albo will be opening his home in Kirribilli to a bunch of celebrities as part of the now traditional all-celebrity cricket match hosted by Nova FM’s Fitzy and Wippa.

Among those invited include Rachael Gunn – aka Olympic breakdancer ‘Raygun’ – who has gone from being ridiculed to coveted guest, Premier Chris Minns, 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham, TV presenter Richard Wilkins and a hosting of sporting stars.

We hear former Australia Idol contestant Shannon Noll will be singing the national anthem.

Started by former prime minster Scott Morrison, the match has become an annual fixture that raises money for Ronald McDonald House.

Former US legislative aide Aidan Maese-Czeropski will take part in this year’s upcoming Sydney Mardi Gras. Picture: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

SENATE TWINK

He lost his job after footage emerged of him allegedly having sex in a Senate judiciary hearing room.

But far from moping about it, former US legislative aide Aidan Maese-Czeropski has flown Down Under where he has been spotted readying himself for the upcoming Mardi Gras.

Going by the name of “Senate Twink” on Instagram, Maese-Czeropski has posted some rather saucy images of himself around Australia, including at what looked like a pre-Mardi Gras event.

Maese-Czeropski was a US Senate staffer to Democratic Senator Ben Cardin when he was caught having sex in a Senate room in 2023.

US police investigated, but closed the case after declaring there was no evidence of a crime.

Posting a statement on LinkedIn at the time, Maese-Czeropski said while some of his actions had shown “poor judgement”, he felt attacked for who he loved.

“This has been a difficult time for me,” he posted.

“While some of my actions of the past have shown poor judgement, I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace.”

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Originally published as First wives club: Liberal ‘waste’ MP’s partner joins Dutton’s office amid political shake-up