Secret affair dominates NSW politics while NT members project family friendly vibe
NSW politics chatter, gossip and media coverage has been all about what’s happening between the sheets – Gladys Berejiklian’s to be exact
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NSW politics chatter, gossip and media coverage has been all about what’s happening between the sheets – Gladys Berejiklian’s to be exact.
Meanwhile, Northern Territory politicians are bouncing babies on their laps.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner took baby Hudson to the first sitting of Parliament since the Labor Government was re-elected while other pollie parents, including Lauren Moss, Nicole Manison, Paul Kirby and Joel Bowden also brought their kids along to watch the swearing in ceremony during the week.
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What a stark contrast between the parliamentary chambers of the Northern Territory and NSW.
Berejiklian, the NSW Premier, has been in hot water since revealing she had a “close, personal relationship” with disgraced politician Daryl Maguire, who resigned in 2018 following corruption allegations.
While admitting she had “stuffed up” in her personal life may have saved her a handful of votes, some cringe-worthy choices she made after that are likely to see her popularity slide.
Last Monday, either Berejiklian or an advisor made the foolish call for her to join controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands on air where he covered everything from secret sex to a George Costanza fetish.
Sandilands didn’t hold back when firing off cringey questions to Berejiklian about her relationship with former MP Maguire.
The KIIS FM host confessed he once thought Berejiklian was into members of the same sex, which the Premier said was not the case but argued there would be nothing wrong with it if she was.
He continued to poke the Premier about “getting her freak on” with Maguire in an embarrassing interview before suggesting there were similarities between the pair who had both had relationships with colleagues.
“You’d think the Premier and Kyle Sandilands couldn’t be two more polar opposites but then I was having sex with seven people at the radio station I worked at in Perth when I was living over there,” Sandilands said.
The Premier quipped: “Well, that’s a record I can’t break.”
“Even though you’re the Premier and very good at your job, don’t you find that secret sex is the best sex,” Sandilands asked.
When the Premier’s secret relatonship with Maguire was revealed, Berejiklian was regretful, even confessing that her family and friends didn’t know about the dalliance.
While addressing the media, and strangley Sandilands, about the affair several times, Berejiklian never addressed the situation on her Facebook page, instead keeping to light, fluffy posts.
The day after the cringe-worthy radio interview with Sandilands, Berejiklian wrote a message to Year 12 students as they embarked on their HSC exams … “2020 has been tough all round. All HSC students are in my thoughts today. You are a very special year. Your resilience and COVID-19 experience will set you up for life. Try your hardest and remember, no matter what the results never give up on your dreams and hopes for the future.”
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In contrast, the Northern Territory leader posted a picture of little Hudson waiting for his dad to return from a trip to Sydney where he met with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
While Gunner was boasting about his private meeting with ScoMo and his loved ones, the NSW Premier is painting a rosie picture on social media while ignoring the topic driving the headlines.
You can’t help but think maybe Berejiklian needed some help from Gunner’s advisors to get her through this personal, yet public tumoil.
Note to Gunner and his team: NEVER think an interview with Sandilands will make things better.
Denise Cahill is the Head of News at the NT News
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