Backroom Baz: Protest permit debate causing divide in state Labor

Talk of a protest permit system — sparked by Melbourne’s anti-Israel violence — is causing a clear divide around Jacinta Allan’s cabinet table.

In a rare show of policy focus this week, Brad Battin’s opposition announced plans for an opt-in protest permit system if elected to government.

Protesters who refused to opt in and register their protests with Victoria Police would face renewed move-on laws and the prospect of jail time for refusing to comply with police directions if protests get out of hand.

The permit system has been long debated in this state, and Baz is told nowhere more so than around Jacinta Allan’s cabinet table. Word is that the issue has caused quite the fracas among ministers, causing a clear divide between those who want it, spearheaded by Ben Carroll, and those who don’t.

The issue is understood to have seriously tested tensions between Carroll and Allan, who are factionally opposed and disagree on more than one issue (ahem ... the SRL).

With Allan’s Socialist Left faction controlling the caucus, she could face a partyroom revolt if she fails to toe the line on the permit issue, which is vehemently opposed by the SL.

But will the opposition’s announcement wedge her into a position and notch a win on the scoreboard for Carroll?

Allan’s fury over recent violent anti-Israel protests might just be enough to get a government permit system over the line, insiders say.

Watch this space.

Melbourne’s anti-Israel protests could eb changing minds on the idea of a permit system. Picture: AFP

Union’s hot ticket

The changing of the guard at the public sector union, the CPSU, has been met with mixed emotions, ranging between shock and joy.

Baz is told none were more stunned than secretary Karen Batt, who has held the role for more than 30 years, and her communications manager partner Julian Kenneally who assumed after three decades in the gig that they’d easily win the latest election.

And none were more joyous than those behind the winning ticket Jiselle Hanna who spearheaded the A Voice For Members campaign. AVFM said across the state, over 70 per cent of voters backed the movement, with its members securing all 5 executive positions; and 23 out of 34 Branch Council positions.

It is president-elect Kimberley Johnston who has got tongues wagging in the wake of the election news. Johnston, Baz is told, is the daughter of infamous unionist Craig Johnston, the former Australian Manufacturing Workers Union boss who was jailed in the early 2000s over two workplace invasions.

Johnston senior took a no holds barred approach to his unionism, meaning if Kimberly is anything like her dad, and has any sway over the new regime, the Allan government could be in for a wild ride as it seeks to axe thousands from the public sector. Watch this space.

Pic for Baz July 13

Flying closer to the sun

When Melbourne gets cold, our pollies get out of here. The mid-year winter break sees an exodus of MPs jet off to far more exotic places than dreary Melbourne.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin had a mini getaway to Queensland last week to meet with David Crisafulli, soaking up the warm weather with his wife Jo in tow. At the same time deputy Sam Groth was in Fiji, and shadow treasurer James Newbury in Italy.

Leader of the opposition in the upper house David Davis also set off to Europe for a gas conference. Either the Libs think they’ve got next year’s election in hand (never mind the polling) or they’re getting that last little break before coming back with all guns blazing.

Plenty of Labor types overseas and on leave also, including Jacinta Allan, who was spotted in the business-class lounge with her family on Wednesday waiting for a flight to sunny Queensland.

The sunny state was the destination for thousands of Vics who went north after enduring the world’s longest lockdowns during Covid. Perhaps Allan wants to see what the big attraction was.

Love us and leave us

Sometimes on Spring St, even Baz is shocked. And so it was this week with the abrupt exit of Sky’s Simon Love from the press gallery.

Love, who last appeared in these pages as a doting new dad following the birth of his first child, Lachlan, in May – is leaving journalism and Sky News, for now.

He first started hassling MPs in 2014, moved away to chase other opportunities interstate, and returned to the beat in 2019. If you’ve been to a press conference in Melbourne, you’ve seen Love in action.

Some MPs will breathe a sigh of relief at the absence of his ferocious interviewing style, while others will miss the excitement he brought.

Love will be spending more time with his family before pursuing new opportunities – but Baz has a feeling it won’t be the last we see of him on Spring St.

Also leaving the beat this week is former Liberal Party media director Dominic Raff, who, after seven months in the job, is off to pursue other opportunities. The move leaves a gaping hole in Brad Battin’s office.

Go well, guys.

Leader of the party

Milestone birthdays come and go, but Baz couldn’t let Ben Carroll’s big 50th slip by without mention. With Jacinta Allan away this week Carroll got to play premier for the week as her fill-in, and Baz wondered if last night’s birthday celebrations were fit for high office.

You can be sure Daniel Andrews reached for the top-shelf whiskey when he turned 50 in July 2022, months out from his third successive election win.

And Jacinta Allan admitted to having a sore head for days after her 50th bash in the same week she became Premier. So what for Carroll? Baz is told a shindig was planned for Saturday night.

Watch this space. And happy birthday, Ben.

Originally published as Backroom Baz: Protest permit debate causing divide in state Labor