Backroom Baz: Premier Daniel Andrews’ unauthorised biography could spill gory details

Work has begun on the first biography of Premier Daniel Andrews but it hasn’t won the approval of the man himself.

A biography of Dan Andrews could hit shelves before the November state election. Picture: David Crosling

We’re not yet sure how the political story ends, but Baz’s spies say work has begun on the first biography of Premier Daniel Andrews.

Spring St regulars say they are being chased to contribute to the new book, which is not endorsed by the Premier, which means it’s likely to have all the gory detail you would expect from a political tell-all.

Baz understands the book could even land before November’s election, which means readers will be left wondering whether our protagonist becomes a three-term premier, or a Covid casualty.

Somyurek’s latest play

Last week Baz revealed that former ALP powerbroker Adem Somyurek had declared to state parliament his membership of the Australian Workers’ Union.

His factional ally, former Socialist Left MP Kaushaliya Vaghela, also declared on the parliamentary register of interests her AWU affiliation.

It turns out only one of the pair is a signed up member though – and it ain’t Adem.

It’s a mysterious move by Somyurek, who “quit” the ALP in 2020 because of branch stacking allegations that are now subject to an anti-corruption probe, and has set tongues wagging in labour/Labor land.

No doubt all will be revealed in the highly anticipated book the fallen minister is promising to pen.

Adem Somyurek is also promising to put pen to paper on a new book. Picture: Ian Currie

Melton swingers

Former Burwood MP Graham Watt is on the move.

The outspoken Liberal, who was kicked out of his seat in 2018 by Labor’s door-kicking MP Will Fowles, is heading west as the party’s candidate for Melton.

Watt has a connection to the patch via his wife Rachel Carling, a former DLP upper house MP for western metro.

But someone obviously forgot to alter or delete his old social media profiles, which still list “Watty” as “just another Burwood local”.

Baz is told a lot of government insiders were shocked by the preselection, because they think Melton is genuinely at risk given it’s made up of an eclectic grouping of genuine anti-vax mandate people and blue collar tradies, who swung behind Labor in 2014 and 2018 but might just be ready to swing right back.

Graham Watt and Matthew Guy are looking for votes in Melton. Picture: Steve Tanner

Move to your desks

Some tongue wagging amid comrades over at Victoria’s union headquarters, Trades Hall.

Baz understands head honcho Luke Hilakari penned a missive this month ordering workers of the world to unite … in their cubicles.

Hilakari wants an end to working from home, which many private and public sector workers have embraced for the flexibility it provides.

But comrade Luke’s made his position clear – it’s in the best interest of “the movement” that workers are at their desks bright and early Monday morning.

Hamilton cluster

Was the opening night of musical hit Hamilton a superspreader event? Anecdotal evidence would suggest yes.

As would some government insiders, who say it’s certainly a plausible explanation given the number of people who attended, but were then struck down with the dreaded virus.

Daniel Andrews was first, followed shortly after by minister for fun Martin Pakula.

Governor Linda Dessau was also hit, as were a bunch of media types in attendance.

Covid seems to be moving thick and fast through Spring St of late.

Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam was hit, and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy was forced into isolation after one of his children contracted the virus.

Date night pic.twitter.com/r9tWwC8lS2

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) March 24, 2022

Early election run

Just like Easter, Christmas and (bizarrely) Halloween, the decorations for state elections seem to go up earlier every time it swings round.

Although the state government is not in caretaker mode, Baz is quietly assured there are plenty of discussions about getting Cabinet ministers out on the hustings, and on TV screens, with local MPs who have been lucky to get a guernsey in the past and need a profile boost.

Plenty of pollies are already door knocking while others are hurriedly fundraising after realising their party can’t afford enough cash to fund their full campaign.

Daniel Andrews has already started posting pics with dogs. And if that wasn’t enough, Acting Premier James Merlino put out a 4pm press release last week that was solely about whacking the Liberals over infrastructure funding.

It was even imaginatively titled “Shame on Matthew Guy”. It’s going to be a long year!

Busy day in Mulgrave, but there's always time for a pat stop. pic.twitter.com/suBJZnrcFi

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) March 25, 2022

Sky-mon Love

Changes to the Spring St press gallery with longtime Network 10 political journo Simon Love returning to his original stomping ground.

If you’re on social media you’d already know, but if not, Love, who was with 10 for three years, will this week start as Sky News’s new Victorian Political Reporter and Melbourne Senior Journalist.

Love takes over from former footy guru Mark Stevens, who lasted about as long in the role as he did as a media spin doctor for the Victorian Liberal Party.

Guess who

Which hairy-footed Liberal MP was pictured in trackie dacks and thongs while hosting a Zoom media call last week?