By Stephen Brook and Kishor Napier-Raman
Bosses at the Dame Phyllis Frost women’s prison in Victoria got into a flap a few weeks back. The reason? The discovery of wild mushrooms within prison walls.
Quite the coincidence when the women’s correctional facility is hosting alleged mushroom killer cook Erin Patterson while she awaits her trial for murder next year, with a trial date yet to be set (she’s defending the case).
Erin Patterson cooked lunch for four guests, three of whom later died. She has denied any wrongdoing.Credit: Stephen Kiprillis
Last month prison officials issued a warning note to staff about mushrooms that were found growing in the grounds.
“Good morning, as most of you know and have seen it is mushroom season,” the memo from a senior prison official reads.
“And they are growing in various places around the compound. I have notified two of our trusted horticultural billets to pick them as required.”
Billet is prison speak for a trusted inmate given a specific job – in this case gardening duties.
“If you see them out and about and fossicking around the grounds this is what they are doing. Thanks for your understanding.”
The billets were tasked with collecting the mushrooms and safely disposing of them.
Patterson became something of a global true crime celebrity after police accused her of three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. She stands accused of using poisonous death cap mushrooms – which can cause severe gastroenteritis and death – in a beef Wellington. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and will face a Supreme Court trial.
It is only fair to point out that Patterson is reportedly in a secure self-contained protection unit within the prison.
Keen to know more, we contacted the government, but a Department of Justice and Community Safety spokeswoman said it did not comment on individuals in custody.
“Corrections Victoria maintains all prison grounds to keep staff and people in custody safe. This includes removing any harmful vegetation,” she said in a statement.
Something for the more than 25 different podcasts which have featured the case to chew over.
Barnaby’s Hat
Australia’s richest person has a new hat for Barnaby Joyce.Credit: John Shakespeare
Barnaby Joyce’s trademark bush hat is very important to him. Years ago when he led a successful spill against Michael McCormack for the Nationals leadership and made a triumphal return as deputy prime minister, Joyce said that if he thought he’d actually win, he would’ve brought his hat.
Now, Joyce seems to have found a lucrative sponsor for his signature headpiece – Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart. The former deputy prime minister revealed on his register of interests this week that he’d received a hat from S Kidman & Co, the Rinehart-controlled beef company which also owns Australiana apparel brands Driza-bone and Rossi Boots.
But it was the cost of said hat – $500 – that left us with questions. Where are Gina’s crew even getting a $500 hat? The most expensive Akubras go for $320.
“One of the iconic hat wearers in Australia is Barnaby Joyce. It should come as no surprise that someone chose to give him one as a gift,” a spokesperson for Joyce told CBD. We remain none the wiser as to the style of the prestige headpiece.
But compared with the $40,000 novelty cheque Rinehart gave Joyce during an agriculture industry knees-up in 2017, this one’s a bargain. Joyce had to hand back the $40,000 after copping swift backlash. We doubt he’ll be giving back the hat.
The intricacies of the men’s bush hat apparel market are unknown to us. But two things to note. Rinehart’s rival Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest owns rival bush brand Akubra, previously a Joyce favourite. And Joyce appeared to be sporting his new brim on Thursday afternoon during media appearances. Certainly the letters SK were clearly visible. In his new role as a fashion influencer, he seemed to be wearing it well.
Battle royal
No sooner had we broken the news of a potential royal visit later this year, than the interstate jostling over who would host King Charles III began.
It’s all but confirmed that His Majesty will be visiting for just six days, with only Sydney and Canberra to be graced by the King’s presence, and Melbourne to be snubbed. Now the latest bit of bickering seems to be between representatives of NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, and representatives of newish Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
King Charles III, right, and Queen Camilla.Credit: AP
Last month, before Charles’ trip was confirmed, CBD reported that the King’s private secretary Sir Clive Alderton had met with officials from NSW Government House about potentially hosting the monarch. His Majesty does not do hotels, you see.
But beyond the bed and breakfast arrangements, an even greater potential dispute looms: who gets the honour of hosting the royal garden party.
As the King’s official representative, Mostyn would surely get first dibs. The views from Admiralty House, the governor-general’s Sydney digs in Kirribilli on the North Shore, are suitable regal.
But behind the Opera House, the gothic revival spires of Government House, home to CBD’s favourite vice-regal representative, are also suitably royal, albeit south-side. And if we’re getting into the weeds, Government House is technically Sydney’s original seat of vice-regal power, with the NSW governor’s office the oldest constitutional position in the land.
So it looks like both sides have a strong claim on His Majesty, even if Mostyn is an avowed republican. We put all this to NSW Government House, and the governor-general’s office, who referred us to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Nobody wanted to go near it.
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