Backroom Baz: Premier Daniel Andrews’ staff leaving faster than they can be replaced

Employment woes in the Premier’s media unit continue to worsen as tensions reached boiling point this week between one adviser and a prominent member of the press gallery.

Employment woes in the Premier’s media unit worsen, with staff leaving faster than they can be replaced. Picture: Tony Gough

The employment woes in the Premier’s media unit worsen, with staff leaving faster than they can be replaced.

The employment woes in the Premier’s media unit worsen, with staff leaving faster than they can be replaced.

Baz is told recruiters on behalf of the government have reached out to the efficient team at Victoria Police’s media division for anyone who may want to cross the thin blue line.

Surveillance skills required, Baz understands. The Premier’s private office seems to be increasing its surveillance of media activities, with tensions reaching boiling point this week between one adviser and a prominent member of the press gallery.

Ministerial minders have been pulling out all stops to block TV crews shoving microphones in the faces of their MPs as they enter parliament. It prompted a fiery confrontation between one journalist and a Labor lackey outside Parliament House.

Powerful allies

If you wander into a courthouse on Tuesday and find it uncharacteristically quiet, fear not, the judges are at work. They may just be taking part in the voluntary 90-minute Empowering LGBTQ Allies session. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

But eyebrows have been raised in the court network over the sessions, which promise learnings on “what an ally is and how we can be allies in the workplace and beyond”. Participants will learn what makes an effective ally, and how to judicially intervene in non-inclusive situations.

Is being an LGBT ally compatible with impartiality? Baz wonders.

The mail on Moira

While it can be hard to make a bang as a minister, especially in an Andrews government where most are kept hidden from the public, some backbenchers find it easy. Take Moira Deeming, who has become a lightning rod for Spring St gossip.

The latest rumour doing the rounds is that Deeming is bound for Canberra. Countless sources from across the state dutifully reported to Baz that Deeming was eyeing off a Senate spot, keen to switch to federal politics.

Rumours are circulating Moira Deeming is bound for Canberra. Picture: Simon Bullard

But the rumour appears to be pure scuttlebutt, however much some of Deeming’s Liberal colleagues might be hoping to wave her on her way.

Sources close to Deeming, who has become a hero to some sections of the Liberal Party nationwide, say she has zero interest in a change of scenery.

However tempting it might be to move to somewhere she is more welcome – unlike Victoria where she was booted from the party room – our mail is Deeming is solely focused on her home state. At least for now.

Promised land in sight for Jacinta

The elevation of premier-in-waiting Jacinta Allan to the top job is considered by most on Spring St to be a fait accompli. But Baz has been around Spring St long enough to know nothing is a sure thing in politics.

Allan has been on Spring St even longer! (She was elected in 1999 aged 25, the youngest female MP in Victorian history.) Now she appears to be pulling out all the stops to ensure her promotion when the time is right.

Sources say after years of indifference to Melbourne’s Jewish community, Allan has recently made surprise appearances at community functions.

Deputy Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan has recently made surprise appearances at Jewish community functions. Picture: David Caird

She is also, sources say, planning a trip to Israel for early in the new year. It would put her on par, ideologically, with Daniel Andrews, whose pro-Israel stance has been immovable. It would also match colleague Ben Carroll, who Labor insiders say is the only challenger to the top job.

Government insiders say Allan has also been holding regular get-togethers with new MPs. Whether the booze has been swapped for tea in recent weeks following an alleged government scandal remains pure speculation.

Yes, minister, no, not that one

It can be hard to make an impact as a minister, especially of a lower ranked portfolio – as esteemed Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman learnt this week. Students and staff of Kolbe Catholic College might have been surprised to see the honourable member turn up at the school. They had been expecting Robin Scott, who once held the portfolio, but who quit cabinet in June 2020 after being caught up in a branch-stacking scandal, on which he denied any involvement.

Former Minister for Veterans Robin Scott. Picture: James Ross

You see, a press release spruiking the ministerial meet and greet – to engage with year 10 students in a discussion about the significant Spirit of Anzac Award – promised Scott’s attendance, despite Suleyman being in the hot seat since December. Oops.

Listen to reason

Fiona Patten and her Reason Party may have been kicked out of Spring St at the last election but, unlike Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, which shut down after failing to retain its two seats, the Reason Party doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.

A call-out was issued this week for people to contribute to branch meetings and politics in the pub events, and Baz reckons come the 2026 election there’ll be a real push to get the party back into parliament.

Overheard by Baz

“I’ll make some comments on the shit show that is the education system under Natalie Hutchins … and then hand over to my colleague.”

– Shadow Education Minister Matt Bach leaving nothing left unsaid ahead of a press conference this week.

Guess who

Which MP was denied entry to parliament recently until he could find his pass to prove to security he was indeed a most honourable member?

Got any scuttlebutt for Baz?

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