Malcolm Turnbull adviser Caitlin Keage loses job over Matt Kean ‘sexts’
A SENIOR staffer for the PM — who posted pictures of her ex-boyfriend’s explicit texts to another MP online — has lost her job.
A SENIOR adviser to Malcolm Turnbull is “not longer working” with the Prime Minister after she revealed sexting messages from her ex-boyfriend and NSW Minister.
The explicit texts — written between Fair Trading Minister Matt Kean and Liberal NSW backbencher Eleni Petinos — were exposed after Caitlin Keage posted screenshots of them online.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister told news.com.au this morning that Ms Keage is no longer working as part of Mr Turnbull’s office.
However, the spokesman would not say when she left the position or whether she was pushed to leave, fired or left of her own volition.
In the texts, which took place shortly after Christmas, Mr Kean messages Ms Petinos while she’s “playing a board game with my family”, saying he’s “tempted to drive down to see you”.
“Miss me huh?” she asks.
“Yup, really need to f**k you,” he responds.
Ms Petinos says he has “CK” for that and tells him it’s “that time of the month”.
He responds: “OK come up later x.”
The next day, Ms Petinos texted Mr Kean and said: “Just got your Christmas card — you’re absolutely gorgeous — love you xx.”
The Daily Telegraph reports that Ms Keage was highly respected in her position, having worked for the federal Coalition since 2010 in both media and policy roles.
She has also been dedicated to the Liberal Party, having served on the state executive in South Australia and working with Christopher Pyne, Simon Birmingham and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
It is understood Ms Keage is moving home to South Australia after a tumultuous 11 days.
Shortly after the affair was exposed, Mr Kean said: “I am deeply sorry my relationship with Caitlin has ended in such a spectacular and sad fashion. I wish her all the best.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian responded to the scandal, saying: “What I’ve read this morning is extremely disappointing. I’m personally disappointed in him and have told him so, but it is nonetheless a personal matter.”
“I am saddened that I have been drawn into this relationship breakdown,” Ms Petinos said in a statement shortly after the scandal broke.
“I deny the allegations.
“It pains me to be making a statement about matters which are outside the scope of my work and are entirely personal.
“For this reason, I have no intention of making further comment.”
A spokeswoman for Ms Petinos told news.com.au today that the backbencher will not be commenting on the matter.
news.com.au has also contacted Mr Kean for comment.
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