The Sauce: Families' entries to 'name the crane' contest voided after MP's blunder

What started as an innocent crane-naming competition for kids has erupted into a data collection controversy for a Sydney Liberal MP.

A state Liberal MP has landed in hot water for collecting personal information from local families as part of a “name the crane” competition.

The competition is being run by NSW Health Infrastructure and invites local kids to come up with names for the cranes that turn up at the different sites, in this case the Ryde Hospital redevelopment.

Keen to jump on board, Ryde MP Jordan Lane decided to promote the competition on his social media.

However, according to a letter sent to Lane by the Health Infrastructure bureaucrats, Lane was not only promoting the competition but his online form appeared to be “collecting information”.

This is a big no-no, the letter states, as each entry requires a signature from a parent or guardian consenting to the competition terms and conditions.

MP for Ryde Jordan Lane.

“Your online form appears to be collecting information and purporting to allow people to enter the competition via submitting information to you,” it says.

The bad news for families who entered via Lane’s social media, “any application forms that are submitted to us via your process will unfortunately not meet the eligibility criteria for the competition” and as a result “cannot be considered”.

“We are concerned that individuals will be disappointed that they were not in fact entered into the competition and also that they will be unaware that the terms and conditions outlined above do not apply to them if they complete your online form,” the letter said.

Lane was ordered to remove “the separate data entry process” and update his promotional materials to align with the government’s.

Storm in a tea cup? Lane thinks so.

“This began as something innocent, a way for local kids to feel proud of their new hospital by naming the crane they see every day,” he said.

“It was about community, families and fun. Instead, someone in NSW Health or the Minns Labor government leaked a private letter sent to my office to score political points. It is disgraceful and should worry everyone in NSW.”

OASIS ENCORE

Anika Wells took time out to catch Oasis.

It’s been a tough few weeks for Anika Wells dealing with the Optus triple-0 debacle, so it was no surprise to see Labor’s Communications Minister taking time out to enjoy Oasis playing in Sydney last week.

Wells – who our spies say turned up decked out in the Oasis uniform of Adidas “and a bucket hat” – attended the second night.

Joining her in the Venues NSW box was Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib, NSW Liberal MP Eleni Petinos, NSW Nationals MP Richie Williamson and Australian cricketer Nathan Lyon.

LOCALS ONLY

Hunter MP Scott Farlow. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A Liberal MP is in the sights of the NSW Young Nationals.

According to an agenda of their state council meeting this coming Saturday, the shadow minister for the Hunter, Scott Farlow, “currently resides in the Upper North Shore”.

The agenda claims Farlow has not mentioned the term “Hunter” since November last year. The Young Nats will therefore move to call on the NSW Nats to take over the portfolio from the Libs.

For his part, Farlow noted he mentioned “the Hunter” in the chamber only last week.

“I’d say it more, but I’m usually in the car heading up there while they’re still arguing about it on Zoom,” he said.

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Originally published as The Sauce: Families' entries to 'name the crane' contest voided after MP's blunder