Backroom Baz: Watson under investigation

A Victorian Liberal delegate has been sent a stern “please explain” letter from party headquarters over a meeting with far-right extremist Neil Erikson. Backroom Baz has the all the insider news on the state’s political beat.

Neil Erikson. Picture: David Geraghty/The Australian

It’s the Gold Coast trip that has Victorian Liberals talking — for all the wrong reasons.

Far-right extremist Neil Erikson recently revealed he had flown from Melbourne for a recruitment meeting last year involving Queensland Liberal National Party figures.

Another Victorian was also in attendance — Elliot Watson, a Liberal state council delegate and one of a group of Mormons who have recently risen to prominence in the party.

SHORTEN’S IN THE DOGHOUSE AS CAMPAIGN TURNS NASTY

PUG SHOT, DUMPED IN ALLEGED ‘POLITICAL ASSASSINATION’

Watson’s factional opponents — and even those on the conservative side of the party — are seething over his decision to meet Erikson, a convicted criminal and one of the founders of the anti-Islam United Patriots Front.

Deputy Premier James Merlino tried to rev up the issue this week, questioning the “deafening silence” of the Victorian Liberal Party over the “extremist links”.

While most Liberals have so far kept quiet — in an effort not to distract from the federal election — Baz hears Watson has been sent a stern “please explain” letter from party headquarters.

It seems he’s yet to respond, and party members are demanding action. Watch this space.

ALEX TAKES THE PLUNGE

If Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten are filming any last-minute campaign videos, Baz hopes they look to former Triple J radio host Alex Dyson for inspiration.

Dyson launched his bid for the Victorian seat of Wannon this week with a policy platform — renewable energy, transport upgrades, mental health — told through interpretative dance.

Dyson had plenty of moves in his campaign video.

He used the video to outline pledges around transport upgrades and renewable energy.

Even incumbent Liberal MP Dan Tehan seemed impressed, describing Dyson as one of three “very good young candidates” in what would be “a fierce and fair contest”.

NOT WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

Between scrubbing your social media and ditching your dual citizenship, the campaign trail can be pretty hectic for a first-time candidate.

Liberal Katie Allen has already got enough on her plate as she tries to cling to the blue-riband Melbourne seat of Higgins in the wake of Kelly O’Dwyer's departure.

But it seems the well-regarded doctor might have her own issues to treat, particularly if she gets elected next Saturday.

Katie Allen is campaigning in Higgins. Picture: AAP Image/Ellen Smith

Baz’s spies pointed out that Allen and Health Minister Greg Hunt recently announced a $6 million boost for Cabrini Health, with the press release noting Allen “previously served as a board director” for Cabrini.

While her name no longer appears on Cabrini’s website, records lodged with the corporate watchdog reveal her directorship is still active as of this week, prompting Labor operatives to raise conflict-of-interest concerns.

Baz’s prescription for aspiring MPs?

Sort yourselves out before throwing your hat in the ring.

WINTER IS COMING

Labor’s federal candidate for Melbourne, Luke Creasey, was a dead man walking once it became known he had shared online jokes about rape and lesbians.

His political execution was slow and painful, but once finalised meant Labor and the Greens — who Creasey was supposed to unseat in Melbourne — would shift their attention to other battlegrounds.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten with Luke Creasey. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

Labor wags, who have clearly been binge-watching the hit TV fantasy Game of Thrones when not campaigning, liken the nearby seat of Wills to Winterfell.

Hordes of Greens volunteers now marching on the electorate are likened to the White Walkers and the army of the dead.

Will the battle for Wills end in triumph for Labor, or the Greens?

While the living are still narrow favourites to defeat the dead, Baz expects vote counting to be tight enough to result in a Long Night for all involved.

VERY SPECIAL

He’s Premier Dan Andrews’ right-hand man. Referred to by some as the bearded henchman, or the whiskered whisperer.

But during all his years of influence in the Andrews Government, Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings has not had a chief of staff.

Now, Baz is told, that might be about to change.

A chief of staff is a powerful position in a ministerial office, sometimes representing the minister at meetings and playing a critical fixer role when difficult issues emerge.