Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio cautioned for using bad language
A Victorian MP has been cautioned for using “unparliamentary language” to address a fellow minister, and could a regal gig be on the cards for health supremo Brett Sutton?
Victoria
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Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio found herself in hot water this week.
The Minister was cautioned for using unparliamentary language in the chamber, yelling comments that Baz wouldn’t dare repeat in a family newspaper.
Although he’s assured the comments were nothing the target of the vitriol, Liberal MP James Newbury, hadn’t heard before.
One wonders where the furore was. Baz can only imagine what would have happened if the mud was flung the other way.
DAN’S BACK, BUT WE DON’T WANT HIM DAILY
It would be remiss of Baz not to give a shout out to Daniel Andrews who has returned to work.
It’s been 111 days and Baz is told the Premier is fighting fit and ready to go.
Baz for one won’t be upset though if he chooses to cut his press conferences a bit shorter.
No need to push yourself, Premier.
And please, no more daily Dans.
REGAL ROLE FOR SUTTON?
It seems rude to speak of Victorian Governor Linda Dessau’s replacement when she still has two years left in the job.
But Baz can’t help himself.
After Queensland’s chief health officer was announced as that state’s next governor, Baz wondered could Brett Sutton be in line for the regal gig?
Given the rumours of frustration at the top levels of government over the stranglehold Sutton has on Victoria, it could be one way to move him on, ever so politely.
No worries if he says no.
Deputy CHO Allen Cheng or Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar shouldn’t be far behind.
LIBS POLL BOOST PUTS A SPRING IN STEP
If you saw anyone skipping up or down Spring St this week, that would have been a Liberal MP.
Many had an unusual spring in their step after new polling showed a five per cent swing against the government.
Continuing on the trend and many Liberal MPs are quietly declaring the party is back in the 2022 election race, after many had resigned themselves to another four years in the wilderness of opposition.
A lover of history, Baz went looking through the political archives and much to his surprise, history suggests the Libs aren’t just back in the game, they could take home the gold.
Seventeen months out from the next election and Labor still lead the Coalition on a two party preferred basis 52.4 per cent to 47.6 per cent.
Wind the clock back to 17 months out from the 2010 election and Labor were further ahead, 56 per cent to 44 per cent.
Of course Ted Baillieu went on to clench victory for the Libs.
And polling showed he was less popular than current leader Michael O’Brien is now.
FOOTY WRITER STEVENS MOVES INTO POLITICS
While that certainly put a spring in O’Brien’s step, many still think a big name needs to be parachuted in to give the Libs any real chance next year.
So it was that Baz caused quite the stir this week he tweeted a tip that a big name was set to join the Libs to help their election preparations.
It sparked a frenzy of guesswork among the Twitterarti, with a who’s who of Melbourne put up as a suggestion.
Peta Credlin, Jeff Kennett, Tony Abbott, Shane Warne and even Karen of Brighton all named. Sam Newman and Eddie Everywhere were tipped from Melbourne’s footballerati as best placed to give the Libs a winning shot.
However none guessed the winner, Channel 7 chief football writer Mark Stevens who will start as the party’s new media manager next month.
LONG-WINDED FOLEY AND SILENT TIERNEY SHOULD TEAM UP
Baz reckons Health Minister Martin Foley and Higher Education Minister would make great drinking pals.
One can talk, the other can listen.
During a heated round of Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearings that wrapped up last week Liberal MPs suggested Foley “would win the boring Olympics” because of his long winded answers to straight up and down questions.
Meanwhile Tierney was slammed for her silence in front of the committee.
Literally staying silent rather than answering a question.
Awkward.
LAMB STUNT ROASTED BY SOME BUT LITTLE LILY DIDN’T MAKE A BO PEEP
Baz loves a special visitor at parliament.
It makes for a nice change from the men in suits. It’s usually school groups or tours, but it was young the young sheep spotted in the halls this week that got Baz feeling all warm and fuzzy.
Behind the stunt was Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick who gave Lily the Lamb her parliamentary debut to spruik his motion calling on mandatory shelters for Victorian animals. Baz is told lil Lily is used to pulling the heartstrings of those in power.
Though not all MPs were impressed.
One man’s warm and woolly is always another man’s Sunday roast.
Nationals leader Peter Walsh called out the stunt saying farmers were sick to death of having their welfare standards questioned by a “radical ideologue”.
It’s been quite the year.
Baz for one is glad for the winter break.
Bottoms up!
GUESS WHO?
Which MP found themselves referred to the parliament’s privileges committee this week over a tweet deemed offensive by many?
OVERHEARD
“I’ve got to say I find (parliament) one of the least romantic places, but maybe I’ve just got a different worldview,” said opposition leader Michael O’Brien.
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