The Source: Former PM John Howard offers support to Warrandyte Lib preselection hopeful Allison Troth

There is no more valuable Liberal Party endorsement than that provided by former PM John Howard — and his early pick for the Warrandyte by-election may just ruffle the field.

There is no more valuable Liberal Party endorsement than that provided by former PM John Howard.

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

Former Institute of Public Affairs boss John Roskam may have attracted the high-powered support of Sky News’ Peta Credlin for his run at Liberal preselection for the upcoming Warrandyte by-election.

But Roskam faces big hurdles. He is a man, unfortunately for him in this context. He is also not particularly local.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto, for whom the by-election result will double as a critical test of his political survival, has implied that a local woman might be best placed to assume the Liberal mantle.

Among them is Allison Troth, a long-time local.

She may not feature in the top line of betting for this preselection.

But Troth is easy to like. She’s a mum who has survived cancer.

And like Roskam, she has attracted heavy duty party support.

A former deputy prime minister, John Anderson, is thought to have described her as a “fighter” for her “indomitable spirit” and “unwavering dedication” in a commendation to Warrandyte preselectors.

Former Institute of Public Affairs executive director John Roskam has his eye on Warrandyte.

A former prime minister, John Howard, was also believed to be penning a recommendation for Troth, who worked for him in the triumph of the 1996 federal campaign.

It’s thought that Howard would speak of a “dedicated Liberal who strongly supports the party’s values”.

Expect more heavy hitting Liberal sponsors to surface as the backroom ding-dong dastardliness sets in and a preselection winner (from a field of nine) materialises, oozing real estate agent rosiness, despite the obligatory bloodied hands and knives in the back.

Do we assume that former state opposition leader Matthew Guy will endorse another wannabe MP, Jemma Townson, given she worked in his office?

And high-powered support is certain to buoy Nicole Werner, who stood for Box Hill in last year’s state election and returned from holiday to be a Warrandyte contender.

The biggest hurdle for Roskam?

He is handicapped by a “thanks, but no thanks” dilemma after being enthusiastically endorsed by former state MP, Tim Smith, the shameless selfie king and ex car crash politician.

Such shows of support, right now, play like the political equivalent of a PwC reference for a high-flying accounting job.

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Nudity, gore, sex set for Arts Centre

She’s been called the Quentin Tarantino of the dance world.

Accordingly, Melbourne’s winter arts festival, Rising, is braced for splatter and scandal when Austrian choreographer Florentina Holzinger stages her controversial show, TANZ, in the normally posh surrounds of the Playhouse this week.

Indeed, one of the last shows at the esteemed theatre was the wholesome Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Ah, those were the days.

TANZ, on the other hand, has graphic nudity, gore, sex themes and violence. Overseas, the performances sparked walkouts and fainting.

Holzinger is bringing her controversial show TANZ to Melbourne. Picture: Nada Žgank

“Some of us leave; many can only peek through fingers; yet many also whoop and cheer at the bloody-minded audacity of the spectacle,” a reviewer in London gasped.

“ And that’s not even the end.”

Meanwhile, Rising’s co-artistic directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek have defended booking the controversial work.

“I think Melbourne is up for this,” Ms Fox said.

“If we’re not doing something a little bit spicy, we’re not doing our job.”

Mr Obarzanek added: “It will be controversial for some people, but we think it’s appropriate.”

Babet’s crimes against English language

Federal Senator Ralph Babet has railed against perceived crimes since being unexpectedly elected last year, from the execution of Breaker Morant to the impinged rights of some newborn babies.

It seems crimes against spelling are yet to cross the United Australia representative’s desk, given his regular media releases place his electorate office in “Narrew Warren”.