Backroom Baz: Hard hats and hi-vis: Normal transmission resumes on Spring St

After a year like no other, Victoria’s politicians are getting back to what they’re good at: Photo opportunities. So why did Dan the Man keep such a low profile on Australia Day?

Melissa Horne’s press conference didn’t go quite to plan.

Already 2021 is starting to feel a bit more normal than 2020 ever did.

And if you don’t believe Uncle Baz, just take a look at our pollies who have really gotten back into the swing of things. Last year it was all Dan, Dan, Dan and then Dan, COVID update, restrictions, test numbers and active cases.

No longer! We’re back to photo opportunities and hard hats. So far we’ve had Dan underground, Jacinta Allan at train stations and Melissa Horne in a lifejacket, despite being firmly on terra firma — though the honourable member did have a few problems removing said jacket!

But Baz tips his hat to Martin Pakula who really is cracking on with things — rolling out a tank, then strapping on the footy boots — all in the name of getting the message out.

Martin Pakula walks the walk.

NOW THAT’S A HELL OF A JOB

Fancy earning up to $250,000 a year? To put that in context, that’s more than most backbenchers take home for their efforts. Well throw your hat in the ring to be COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria’s new director of strategic communication.

Evidently it’s been a tough role to fill, CQV has only been operational since November 30. Baz imagines the role is either sitting back when cases are low, or running around putting out spot fires (or worse) if things flare up. A veritable poisoned chalice.

As one senior bureaucrat whispered in Baz’s ear this week: “I would rather work at Maccas than any COVID team. It’s hell in there”. Tough gig.

LEIFER BACK HERE AT LAST

Baz was as happy as anyone to see Malka Leifer returned to Australia this week. She’s been avoiding the justice system here for too long, and now all involved can have their day in court.

But Baz’s spies say eyebrows were raised in the court precinct after Premier Dan Andrews said he had messaged his best wishes to the alleged victims of Leifer after she touched down in Melbourne.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with sending someone well wishes. But declaring your impartiality and respect for the court process on the one hand, then making public your private support for alleged victims in the highest profile case since the Pell trials on the other, doesn’t really square up.

DAN KEEPS QUIET ON AUSTRALIA DAY

For a man who loves the limelight, Premier Dan Andrews kept an unusually low profile on Australia Day.

While he didn’t have the day off — he attended a ceremony with the Victorian Governor where he made an uncharacteristically short speech — he declined multiple media requests. It comes after he deftly sidestepped the question about changing thecate in the lead-up to January 26.

Clearly, the contentious Australia Day issue was one debate he has chosen to stay well clear of. Besides, why risk distracting the masses from piling on ScoMo for his controversial choice of Australia Day award honours.

Premier Daniel Andrews was uncharacteristically quiet on Australia Day. Picture: Andrew Henshaw/NCA NewsWire.

HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS

Forget Tony Abbott’s blue ties, the real uniform of the up and comers in the Liberal party appears to be a man in a white shirt and a short haircut.

Gembrook MP Brad Battin is the Opposition spokesman for youth justice and crime prevention, but it appears he was unable to talk the young members of the La Trobe University Liberal Club out of their crimes against fashion when he visited their group this month to share his wisdom. A seemingly harmless photo of the group on the night was quickly shared around political circles after it was pointed out the group was cut from a VERY similar cloth.

Even Battin seemed to blend in, rocking shorts and a shirt. Baz couldn’t help but laugh when he twigged that the only woman pictured in the room was the one eating a burger on the TV in the background.

The Latrobe Liberals.

HEALTHY OUTLOOK

Baz reported last week that Treasurer Tim Pallas had found himself in hospital over the summer break. Baz’s spies revealed that what the Treasurer’s office had dismissed as a “routine procedure” had the potential to be anything but. So he was well pleased to spot Pallas on his way to the office during the week, with a spring in his step and looking a picture of health. Welcome back, Treasurer. You’ve got some work to do!

Tim Pallas is back in the office. Picture: Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire.

OVERHEARD

“There is some very precise colouring in going on.”

Premier Daniel Andrews makes some groundbreaking observations during his press conference for kinder kids first day back at school.