Backroom Baz: Are drivers showing not all well in Andrews’ cabinet?

The sign things might be a little shaky in the Andrews government could be coming from those listening to its ministers’ most intimate conversations — their drivers.

Are things are a little shaky in Andrews’ cabinet right now? Picture: Ian Currie

Forget the newspaper polls, Baz has heard from the poll of all polls: ministerial drivers!

And they appear not to yet be ruling out a shock win from the opposition come November.

Baz has it on good authority that the drivers of the ministerial vehicles have started to ask around who is most likely to be a minister in a potential Coalition government, and are putting bids in around who they want to drive around the state.

Given the drivers have their ears to ministers’ most intimate phone conversations, does this indicate things are a little shaky in cabinet right now, and confidence around the election low?

Baz thinks so. Drivers have always been the source of the best Spring St gossip.

There must be a few ministers who aren’t feeling that confident or a bit agitated about the election.

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Former Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane hated people not bothering to try and pronounce his name properly.

Fitting, then, that he’s popped up in a new direction to Victoria’s legal community, warning them to make the effort.

Tim Soutphommasane. Picture: Hollie Adams

The County Court edict now wants lawyers to give judges a heads up if a “difficult” name is associated with a hearing.

“The County Court of Victoria recognises that the correct pronunciation of names is a matter of respect and is an important component of ensuring public confidence in the proper administration of justice.

As such, the Court seeks to facilitate a simple process by which legal practitioners can provide, and the Court can seek, guidance and clarification”.

Lawyers are asked to spell names out phonetically, “for example: The Plaintiff intends to call Professor Tim Soutphommasane (Soot-pom-ma-sarn) as an expert witness in X v Y.”

One wonders how many people, and at what cost, were involved in drafting the new note. Dr Tim would be thrilled.

DARK TIMES IN SHEPP

In March 2020, the Greater Shepparton City Councillors declared a Climate Emergency which included employing a dedicated Climate Change Officer to help Council deliver its plan to address the climate emergency.

So with Earth Hour approaching on March 26, how do the Greater Shepparton climate change warrior councillors plan to celebrate?

Will they be switching off the fairy lights on the trees in Fryers St or will they turn off all street lights plunging the city into the same dim darkness critics say surrounds council’s decision making? No!

On March 26, Greater Shepparton Council is holding its Illuminate Festival which is billed as a spectacular two day light festival that will culminate with an immersive laser, light and sound show! D’oh!

Shepparton Council is taking a leaf from Chevy Chase’s book this Earth Hour. Picture: Warner Bros

KING OF THE NORTH

Some people call him the King of the North, and if a gala dinner dance was anything to go by, Baz knows why.

Five hundred people turned out to a fundraising dinner for MP hopeful Oscar Yildiz, the longtime Moreland councillor, former ALP hopeful and now founder of new political outfit the Victorians Party.

The party’s yet to be formally registered, but Yildiz is set to run for an upper house seat come November. The party plans to field candidates in every Victorian seat, and insiders say they’re expecting to clean up a handful.

Former Carlton champs Anthony Koutoufides and Stephen Kernahan were late apologies, as was soccer star Archie Thompson. But boxer Michael Zerafa’s attendance packed a punch while Melbourne comedy giant Joe Avati led proceedings, that even included showgirls.

Even his political opponents say Yildiz can fundraise and campaign like no other.

“The fact we ever let him go still boggles my mind,” one rusted on ALP type told Baz.

Oscar Yildiz (right) with Bill Lang and Ingrid Maynard. Picture: Alex Coppel

JOUSTING OVER TAX

Baz has heard about horse trading in politics, and warnings against looking inside gift horses’ mouths.

But he’s never heard of a jousting tax! Poor old Matthew Guy was too quick to lash out at the government’s failed social housing tax he didn’t have time to run the spellcheck. Read twice, publish once, a golden rule not to be ignored. It’s any wonder the Libs are on the hunt of a social media guru to take over their online comms in the lead-up to the election.

It’s been gaffe after gaffe lately.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Victoria’s west proved a little too wild for the Commonwealth, who got spectacularly lost when it came time to drop off essential medical supplies to the Ballarat Health Services.

A courier van carrying the goods, commissioned by the Commonwealth, reportedly ended up in Geelong – almost 90km – away from its rightful home, Baz has been told.

The embarrassing bungle was uncovered by the Pandemic Declaration Accountability Committee, when Dale Fraser, CEO of Ballarat Health Services, threw the Commonwealth right under the same van carrying his missing goods.

One of Baz’s spies recalled the moment: “He got a call from a delivery company saying they were hoping to deliver supplies on behalf of the Commonwealth but they couldn’t find him. Turns out they were in Geelong!”

GUESS WHO?

Which political operative raised eyebrows during her short lived career after reaching out to her political opponents in a bizarre bid to help get her boss a leg up?