Backroom Baz: Sneaky habits of MP’s spouse cause lasting damage
The partner of a prominent MP may be regretting their decision to snoop over the shoulder of a journalist texting on their phone at a recent industry event.
Victoria
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Which spouse of a prominent MP was recently busted snooping at a journalist’s phone?
Well, some would say snooping, some might say “shoulder surfing” – the official term for looking at someone else’s phone screen while they’re using it.
Baz is told the nosey spouse was sitting next to a senior journalist at a recent industry event when they saw their partner’s name pop up on the screen.
It piqued an interest that couldn’t be sated.
So, they spent the next hour reading over the journalist’s shoulder before dutifully reporting what they managed to glean from the screen to their MP partner, who then dutifully ran to their boss in an apparent attempt to earn some brownie points.
Nothing like bringing the teacher an apple to try and get a mark up on your report card.
But, in a bizarre twist, the MP then confessed the “crime” to the journalist, but attempted to blame an innocent bystander.
Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive.
Because, of course, nothing is a secret for long on Spring Street.
And Baz reckons any working relationship the journalist and MP shared may now be well and truly damaged.
Lazy Moe’s, the source of Labor’s spicy affairs
Labor branch meetings can be spicy affairs - some more than others.
Baz is told things got particularly pointed at a meeting of Kororoit-based comrades last month, at the fine establishment of Lazy Moe’s, in Caroline Springs, no less.
The fun started when ALP member and one-time IBAC probe suspect Jeff O’Donnell raised concerns over missing minutes from a previous meeting.
He claimed a comment made by a fellow comrade in which he “threatened to break Jeff O’Donnell’s legs” was omitted from the record. Spicy, indeed.
Baz is not sure the context of the alleged threat, or whether the record will be corrected. But with tensions running high,Lazy Moe’s might want to start serving popcorn with their pints.
Members might need it for future branch love-ins.
Allan’s intuition spot on
Was something missing from this year’s parliamentary Iftar Dinner?
No, not the Premier’s Dinner, which was cancelled by Jacinta Allan last month amid fears prominent Muslim leaders would boycott the annual event in protest against Labor’s stance on the Middle East conflict.
On Tuesday, a couple of hundred prominent Victorians gathered at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for the 18th Annual Victoria Parliament Iftar Dinner.
Dozens of MPs from across the political spectrum were there, even if some left early, including Multicultural Affairs Minister and co-host Ingrid Stitt.
Judges, magistrates, chief executives, board chairs and media gathered to engage with Victoria’s Muslim community and hear from Governor Margaret Gardner, who gave a keynote speech.
But noted for their absence were Muslim community leaders.
Baz’s spies say there were far fewer in the room than at previous dinners, with one leading figure overheard commenting about that fact on the night.
It’s a shame, because those who attended said the event was a great way to reflect, meet, engage in and enjoy the Muslim community.
Maybe the Premier’s fears about a boycott were spot on.
He came, He soared, He conquered
He might have narrowly escaped death in a plane crash in October, but there’s no stopping Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke.
The self-confessed adrenaline junkie swore nothing would stop him skydiving and, true to his word, Edbrooke has again been mile-high, spotted clocking up multiple dives between parliamentary sitting days.
And when you’re among the best in the world, why stop? Earlier this month, Edbrooke took part in the Skydive Great Ocean Road 2024 APF National Championships, taking home the bronze in the mixed-team category.
Word on Spring Street is that Edbrooke is now rated 250th fastest jumper in the world.
Lips - and files - are sealed
Victoria has long had a reputation for being the secret state. Now, the Department of Premier and Cabinet appears to be taking things to a new level. A case set to hit the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal next month will see the Premier’s Department fight to keep secret the titles of ministerial briefs.
Access is being sought for a list of the titles of all ministerial briefs created between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, for each of the ministers supported by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
But the department says those titles are cabinet in confidence and ought not be made public.
Acting Information Commissioner Joanne Kummrow has already granted release of the titles, but the department wants the decision overturned. Baz will be watching closely.
Guess Who?
Which two MPs travelled to London this week to take part in a parliamentary conference?
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