Backroom Baz: Labor officials working to undermine bleak polling forecasts

Polling put the Coalition ahead of Labor for the first time in seven years this week — but some Labor types are refusing to accept the facts and instead pointing the finger at the pollster.

It’s all smiles for Opposition Leader John Pesutto, with new polling forecasting Labor’s red wall is set to crumble. Picture: Mark Stewart

Polling out this week put the Coalition ahead of Labor on a two-party-preferred basis for the first time in seven years.

But it seems some Labor types just want to bury their head in the sand, and attack the messenger rather than face the cold hard reality.

RedBridge pollster Kosmos Samaras is the target of what Baz sources say is a “white-anting campaign within the party to undermine his polling”, with senior government figures dismissing the latest data and suggesting his numbers are skewed so he can bring more business for the lobbying arm of his operations.

Samaras, who spent 14 years Labor’s Victorian deputy campaign director, is having none of it. “RedBridge’s accurate polling record, including the 2023 referendum and recent Tasmanian election results, underscores the importance of heeding our findings,” he told Baz.

“For those within the Labor Party who choose to disregard our data, we offer this caution: to do so is to risk significant electoral consequences.”

Pesutto on the prowl for new talent

Is Labor’s red wall crumbling? John Pesutto certainly thinks so, and the polling that gave him a spring in his step this week seems to agree.

Pesutto spent two days of his do-or-die week campaigning in the west alongside backbencher Trung Luu, while his enemies plotted to overthrow him.

Baz’s spies say he received the political equivalent of a rock star welcome.

But was there more to the trip than meeting with locals, with sources saying Pesutto has been scoping out potential candidates for Werribee in preparation for Treasurer Tim’s much-talked about resignation.

Sources have told Baz Pesutto is scoping out potential candidates for Werribee in preparation for Treasurer Tim’s much-talked about resignation. Picture: David Crosling

The Coalition would be silly not to capitalise on recent swings and frustrated working class voters in Melbourne’s growth corridors.

Another tell tale sign has been the Hawthorn MP’s keen interest in the successes of the Werribee Football Club of late. He even headed down for a kick with the players earlier this year.

The Libs recorded an 8.6 per cent swing in the key seat at the last election. Could Tim’s final bow spell the end of Labor’s 25-year reign in Werribee?

Pesutto’s PR hunt looking woeful

Selling a message, and a mission, is key to political success. Just ask Daniel Andrews, who built the biggest political media and PR team in the country so he could spin his message and promote his work.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews knows the power of a strong PR team for spinning a message. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

When former Liberal MP Matt Bach returned to Melbourne briefly last week he remarked that the ALP media machine was far more impressive than that of his own party.

And it appears John Pesutto knows it, too. Word has reached Baz that the Opposition Leader has been on a mission to find someone to help oversee his media strategy, to fill the big shoes left by former media manager Nick Johnston.

At least one major Melbourne media identity has been approached recently. Another giant of Melbourne’s media scene was also spoken to soon after Pesutto got the job. Both politely declined. Watch this space.

New baby on Spring St

There’s another baby on Spring St. For those playing at home, that’s now three in recent weeks. First Liberal MP Jess Wilson welcomed Patrick, then Labor’s Martha Haylett introduced Liam.

Now, in a truly tri-partisan effort, Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland has announced the birth of baby girl, Sigrid.

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland with her family. Picture: Instagram

“Her name means ‘beautiful victory’, and that you are, my darling,” Cleeland wrote on social media.

Sigrid is a little sister to Arthur and Quinn. Baz sends his heartiest congrats. The parliament playroom is going to be busy!

Has former Liberal MP Ryan Smith quit the party?

Fifteen months after quitting politics, Baz’s spies say Smith has torn uphis membership.

Smith wouldn’t speak to Baz about the rumour this week, saying any memberships he held were a private matter. Fair enough.

But it’s interesting if he no longer wants to stay part of the fold, given his decades long association withthe party. After entering parliament in 2006 Mr Smith served as minister for environment and climate change and minister foryouth affairs as part of the Baillieu government.

Surely there’s more to this story. Watch this space.

GUESS WHO

Which Liberal MP will secretly tape this week’s party room meeting?

OVERHEARD

“On behalf of successive Victorian governments and parliaments, I apologised to those children who were forcibly removed from their families.” Jacinta Allan on her surprise apology to Victoria’s stolen generation.

Originally published as Backroom Baz: Labor officials working to undermine bleak polling forecasts