Look Hughes talking: Libs should be-Ware what they say about JWH
Could things get any worse for the Liberals in Hughes? Well, strap in. Diary can reveal that Liberal candidate Jenny Ware once called John Winston Howard “out of touch”. Ouch! That’s almost a sacrilegious act within the Liberal Party. To make matters worse, ScoMo’s captain’s pick candidate also praised Pauline Hanson. The comments were made in a 2001 letter to The Sydney Morning Herald. “It has taken the ravings of an unsophisticated, politically inexperienced, former fish shop owner to point out to both major parties the issues which are causing Australians the most angst: the BAS (business activity statement), illegal boat people, road funding, competition policy, health, and education,” Jenny from Gymea Bay wrote. “Both Messrs Howard and (Kim) Beazley are highly educated, experienced politicians with a host of advisers. They have no excuse for being out of touch with the people they deign to represent.” Ware did not disavow when contacted this week, but refused to elaborate on her feelings for our 25th prime minister. “The comments, made 21 years ago, reflected my frustration with politics all those decades ago,” Ware said. “So I joined the Liberal Party, whose values reflect mine, and have been working hard to advocate on the important issues, including the economy and cost of living, infrastructure and the environment.” She kept mum when asked for specific details on which years she has – and more importantly hasn’t – been a paid up member of the Liberal Party over the past two decades. Howard, meanwhile, issued a warning to “cranky” voters that any loss in a so-called “teal” seat will spell the end of the Morrison government. Liberal fears are growing that Hughes is the next blue-ribbon seat on the chopping block to a Climate 200 candidate. The party’s primary vote has dropped to 37 per cent, according to independent polling, down 16.2 per cent since turncoat Craig Kelly won it in 2019. Scott Morrison and Dominic Perrottet were the latest emergency deployments touring the Sutherland Shire this week. The Prime Minister perfected his latte art and took photos at The Prince Hotel in Kirrawee, but didn’t hold a press conference.
Chalk up another one
The candidate who won’t be silenced – Katherine Deves – is being silenced … again! The controversial Liberal candidate for Warringah was due to appear at the Balgowlah RSL on Sunday, until an intervention by Coalition HQ in Brisbane. The excuse given for cancelling the lunchtime event? It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday (read: and ScoMo’s captain pick might be asked about her anti-trans comments). Surely the mother would relish a chance to continue her campaign against Labor’s decision to axe the words “mother”, “breastfeeding” and “pregnant women” from its official policy platform. Sources say the Liberals’ spinners have given up on winning Warringah back from Zali Steggall and are instead using Deves’ controversial commentary in controlled environments, such as AM talkback radio, to attract votes in Western Sydney.
Down in one
Resources Minister Keith Pitt won second prize in the raffle at a maroons State of Origin event in Bundaberg this week, hosted by Sam Thaiday. Can you get a more Queensland sentence than that! The prize? His height in XXXX Gold – which Diary understands, worked out to be 8 cartons. Pitt immediately auctioned off the beer for the Bundaberg junior rugby league club – it seemed a safer option than explaining the 240 cans to his wife Allison – raising $400 for the kids.
Starch raving mad
National Press Club executive chef Daren Tetley stepped up to the plate with khaki-themed feed for the defence debate between Peter Dutton and Brendan O’Connor. To start, Tetley served up a potato bun with sea salt butter – a not-so-subtle reference to Labor’s nickname for Dutts, “Mr Potato Head”. The main was a Char Sui roasted pork belly with Lap Cheong, soy dressing and puffed rice. And to finish? Dark chocolate ganache boats. Boom tish. Speaking of down periscope, the Department of Defence has quietly posted a job ad for “Nuclear-Powered Submarines Directors”– in Sydney, not Adelaide. With a starting salary between $123,159 and $147,828 (plus super), we assume the French need not apply? Tragically, there were no clues in the Seek ad as to when or where the subs will actually be built, or how much they’ll cost.
Men of honour – Sinner and Cahill face an uncertain future, no?
Jannik Sinner and his Australian supercoach Darren Cahill, revered globally but under-appreciated locally, were the epitome of gracious victors. But a CAS hearing in April looms.
It’s a Faustian bargain: this ceasefire is not enough
Hamas and Hezbollah are wounded and degraded but not defeated. Australia must back Israel to go further.