Backroom Baz: Liberals can traditional campaign bus as Dan plays favourites

In a controversial state election call the Liberal Party are ditching their campaign bus, with some citing money woes for going off road.

The Liberal Party has dumped the traditional campaign bus. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Baz was surprised to learn this week that Liberal Party was ditching the traditional campaign bus.

Well, shocked might be over-egging it a little.

There had long been suggestion that the bus would go, with some party sources citing money woes.

But they had been routinely dismissed by party officials who said it would be madness not to run a campaign with a bus, which serves the dual purpose of carrying a message across the state while ferrying journalists to press opportunities.

Media were specially selected to travel to Albury for Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW counterpart Dominic Perrottet’s announcement. Picture: Simon Dallinger

Thankfully, the ALP is having a bus.

Confirmation of that fact came as huge relief to a string of journos who Baz is told had their nose put of joint after the Premier’s Private Office hand selected journalists to attend a major announcement in Albury.

One even had the royal treatment, being flown to the press conference alongside Daniel Andrews himself.

At least with a campaign bus, an 80 seats spare, journos keen to report on the election games will have the chance.

As long as Dan gives them a ticket.

A spring back in their step

If you ever need proof that politics is a gruelling job, take a look at how much happier some people are when they get out of it!

Social media has been awash with MP glow ups, particularly for former Labor ministers.

The most noticeable of these would have to be Jenny Mikakos, who has clearly flourished in the sunshine and good vibes of Greece.

The former health minister turned Greek goddess made local news over there, and caught Spring St’s attention, when she visited a school assisting Ukrainian refugees which had benefited from a donation from the Australian Greek community.

Jenny Mikakos is looking better than ever after quitting politics.

James Merlino has been trialling some new headwear.

No doubt the health portfolio takes its toll during a pandemic, with Martin Foley also noticeably sporting a spring in his step after vacating that role.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Premier James Merlino has clearly been watching a lot of Peaky Blinders with his new free time.

He’s been spotted around Melbourne wearing a flat cap similar to those worn by the Shelby gang and friends say its been practically glued to his head.

Perhaps it’s a tactic to stand out while he runs for a spot on the board of his beloved Hawthorn Football Club?

Baz loves to see long-serving politicians enjoying their new lives but it’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for a career in parliament!

A snag worthy of US political “royalty”

It hasn’t taken US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy long to embrace life down under. The daughter of JFK has only been here since July, and already she’s embracing the way of life down under: grabbing a Bunnings sausage. Kennedy was spotted in an ACT Bunnings last week and after her snag in bread gave it a ten out of 10. What next? Bare feet at the Melbourne Cup? Baz will be watching.

US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy enjoys and Australian tradition.

A cautionary tale for leakers

Baz encourages all readers of this column to leak well and to leak often.

Juicy tip offs are what keeps the paycheques coming.

But if you’re going to background the media for the love of god make sure you delete the history of your emails.

A Liberal party member in the western suburbs found this out the hard way when she sent out a sternly worded letter to then president Robert Clark opposing the nomination of Moira Deeming for Bernie Finn’s old spot on the ticket.

Fred Ackerman fell victim to some sloppy deleting from a colleague.

The internal disquiet about the nomination was shared with the media but the member forgot to cover her tracks. In the email chain, which went to several senior Liberals, she left in an earlier response from fellow member Fred Ackerman which included some feedback and his advice that: “You may like to send a copy (separately) of your letter to (a press gallery journalist). I am sure that he would be interested”.

Ackerman, who had nominated against Deeming, had his cover blown and his membership torn up.

A cautionary reminder to keep leaks to where they belong, back alleys and encrypted messaging apps.

Hunting a Dan gibe

Baz was minded to let the press release slide, until he noticed the interesting little jab at Daniel Andrews.

Former Property Council boss Danni Hunter re-entered the fray almost four months after becoming embroiled in a racism row.

Ms Hunter walked away from her gig as Victorian executive director of the peak advocacy body, but is back with a new strategic advisory venture.

Danni Hunter, Victorian executive eirector, Property Council of Australia

“From providing a positive voice for the revitalisation of Melbourne’s CBD, to being referred to as ‘that person’ by one of the most powerful men in Victoria, I have experienced the highs and lows of public engagement,” the press release screamed.

Of course Hunter was referring to the epic public stoush she had with Daniel Andrews over the government’s now axed social housing tax.

Interesting to position your business with such direct reference to the Premier.

Baz reckons that might make any potential work on the Labor side of politics or business a little difficult.

Curious bedfellows

Scurrilous rumours are par for the course on Spring St.

Come election time, things go into overdrive.

So it was this week that rumours spread like wildfire that the Liberal Democrats, famously anti-government throughout the pandemic on account of their stand for greater freedom, smaller government and personal responsibility, had done a preference deal with Labor.

Baz almost choked when it was suggested to him.

But, never one to let a rabbit down a hole unchased, made his own inquiries.

Alas, nothing but scuttlebutt.

Not only have the Lib Dems not cosied up with Labor, they’re yet to ink a preference deal with anyone.

Though, they would say that, wouldn’t they.

Guess who

Which unlikely Liberal staffer was caught liking ALP social media posts?