Backroom Baz: Jeff Kennett urged to make good on old debt

Tim Pallas has finally paid up after losing a bet with Nationals Leader Danny O’Brien, now former Premier Jeff Kennett is being urged to make good on his wager with old foe John Brumby.

Jeff Kennett is being urged to pay up on an old debt. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Tim Pallas made good on his wager with Nationals leader Danny O’Brien this week, coughing up the $100 he lost over a bet that he would remain on Spring St until next year’s election. It took him three months to honour the debt, paying up shortly after being shamed by Baz in last week’s column. Next in Baz’s sights – Jeff Kennett. The former Premier has allegedly been sitting on an almost three decades old debt if the official record of parliament, Hansard, is to be believed. Kennett bet then Opposition Leader John Brumby $1000 that he would be in parliament long after Brumby retired. Former Mitcham MP Tony Robinson later challenged Kennett to donate the money to charity should he lose, prompting Kennett to accept the challenge.

Tim Pallas made good on his wager with Nationals leader Danny O'Brien this week, coughing up the $100 he lost over a bet that he would remain on Spring St until next year's election. Source: Supplied

“I place on the record that the honourable member for Mitcham has entered into an agreement with me to give $1000 to the charity of my choice if the Leader of the Opposition should leave before I do. I reciprocate that bet on our respective leadership positions by saying I will give $1000 to the charity of the honourable member’s choice if l leave before the Leader of the Opposition. I could not think of a better bet. I will be here until at least the year 2010. I do not expect to see the Leader of the Opposition here 18 months from now,” Kennett said on May 15 1998. Kennett left in the wake of his shock 1999 election loss, while Brumby stayed on for another decade, including a period as Premier himself. Baz is told Kennett is yet to make good on the bet. “Sadly when I mentioned this to him a few months later he got all narky about it,” Robinson said this week. “And for the record, my charity of choice is the Vinnies.” We’re waiting, Jeffrey.

Sloppy work from MP leaves constituents confused

Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari confused his local constituents this week while spruiking the government’s work at Werribee Mercy’s emergency department.

Those following Hilakari’s social media post could have been forgiven for thinking the government planned to turn the Werribee Law Courts into a new emergency department, given it was a picture of the court buildings that accompanied his social media post. How he managed to confuse the buildings is anyone’s guess.

Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari confused his local constituents this week while spruiking the government's work at Werribee Mercy's emergency department.

He wasn’t the only one putting sloppy communications out during the week. New shadow minister for finance, Bridget Vallence, twice incorrectly listed Victoria’s net debt projections in a media release bagging the government.

Vallence said twice that Victorian net debt would hit $187.3bn by 2026-27 when the real projection is that same figure by 2027-28. Sloppy stuff.

Fordy kicking goals in new role

Former Victorian party secretary Chris Ford has a new gig – scoring a new role with the St Kilda football club. “Fordy” had a busy few years leading the local ALP branch while it was under administration and playing a key role in two big election campaigns before standing down in August 2023.

He went straight to ARUP where he took up a senior position in their economics division and has now taken on the role as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for the Saints. It’s part of a broader push by the club to set up a strong future for the next generation of Saints fans.

If he can make it work there maybe Labor might try and lure him back given a worsening trend of diabolic polling. Still, maybe the party just needs a wing and a prayer.

Reece unpacks Menzies’ connection

Baz promised to report back after Melbourne Lord Mayor and ALP apparatchik, Nick Reece, entered unfamiliar territory to launch a book on legendary Liberal Prime Minister Robert Menzies, at the Robert Menzies Institute.

Reece did just that this week, tipping his hat to Baz during a well received speech alongside Menzies Institute CEO Georgina Downer. “We’ve been friends for years, we even did a tour of duty on Sky After Dark,” Reece told assembled guests.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece says it has been great to work alongside Roshena Campbell. Picture: Nadir Kinani

“I’m thrilled to be able to support her. In addition, the Herald Sun wondered whether the influence of Deputy Lord Mayor, Roshena Campbell, was rubbing off on me. Well, maybe Backroom Baz has a point – after all, Roshena and I ran on a unity ticket for Melbourne. It’s great to work alongside Roshena – she is super smart, hardworking, and good to be around.

“There’s a third great woman who helps explain my attendance here tonight, and that’s my mum. Merrilyn Emmans grew up in Sydney, but in 1964, like many young Australians of the era, she boarded a ship and sailed for London. Menzies furnished my Mum with a reference letter so she could more easily travel.”

If Baz had questions about Reece launching a Menzies book, they’ve been well and truly answered.

Mildura MP vows to ‘make the bald boy run’

Coalition infighting has become the norm in recent years. Between leadership battles, defamation proceedings and factional feuds it’s a wonder they get anything done at all. Baz spotted another battle playing out this week when the Nationals’ Mildura MP Jade Benham took on the Liberal Party’s Wayne Farnham, the member for Narracan. It was a classic battle of the sexes that also saw youth take on age, beauty battle beast, and athlete serve it up against the not so athletic. “I will make the bald boy run,” Benham was overhead saying, and that she did, taking an early lead 3-1. But Farnham channelled his inner Andrew Agassi to take out the one set match 6-4. Those who know Benham know she won’t take that lying down. And so the pair have agreed to make it a best of five series. Watch this space.

Overheard

“Jacinta Allan claiming she has the full support of her colleagues is a bit like Michael Voss claiming he has the full support of the Carlton Board.”

A factional heavyweight comments on Labor’s first leadership rumblings in over a decade.

Guess who

Which former Prime Minister was spotted flying in economy this week?