Can you crack Gladys Berejiklian’s secret sticker code?
You may have noticed the NSW Premier’s coloured stickers during her daily COVID-19 updates. We’ve worked out what they mean.
Have you cracked Gladys Berejiklian’s secret code? Early risers may have noted the NSW Premier (plus her rotating entourage of NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Police Minister David Elliott, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and senior advisers) wearing coloured stickers during her daily COVID-19 updates.
The colour and shape changes each day; so far we’ve spied a red circle, green diamond, yellow circle and blue square. It reminds Strewth of a tactic used by the US Secret Service to identify who is cleared to be in a security detail.
Typically worn by bodyguards, not the bodyguard-ees, the pin works as a physical password to prove you’re not a spy or assassin. They’re chosen just hours before a secure mission begins and can be quite elaborate in detail.
Why not use an ID pass? An ID pass can be faked or stolen and is made to last a long time, so it can’t be easily changed at the last minute should suspicions arise. Federal parliament uses a spin on this — House of Representatives MPs are given a green pin and senators red. This allows them to walk around the private areas of Parliament House without a security pass (for any new guards, there are also handy printouts with a photo of each pollie to prevent a “don’t you know who I am” drama).
Berejiklian’s office told Strewth the stickers were part of the daily screening process to enter the NSW COVID-19 Response HQ at Olympic Park. Everyone in her handpicked pack must wear one — even the Premier. Upon arrival, Berejiklian has her temperature taken and undergoes a health survey to confirm she’s coronavirus-free. If you pass the tests, you get a sticker. As for the shape and colour? That’s chosen each day by NSW Health.
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A royal wide berth
Prince Charles is virus-free and no longer self-isolating in Scotland.
You may wonder why the first in line to the throne was so far away from QEII. Here’s the answer, via Anne Glenconner’s phenomenal memoir Lady in Waiting: “When I was in my late teens, Prince Charles became like a younger brother to me, spending weeks with us all at Holkham. He would come to stay whenever he had any of the contagious childhood diseases, like chickenpox, because the Queen, having never gone to school, had not been exposed to them.” The royals — practising social distancing since 1948!
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Don’t ask, don’t tell
Greens leader Adam Bandt is advertising three full-time roles in his office on ethicaljobs.com.au.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday for the Melbourne-based (with a touch of Canberra travel) jobs: media adviser ($79,866 to $95,796 base + $29,862.00 allowance + 15.4 per cent super); community and campaigns adviser (total salary $82,866 to $94,047); and senior engagement manager ($125,658 to $164,916).
Key selection criteria includes “commitment to the Australian Greens’ principles and charter”. But we spied some curious caveats in the employment conditions: “All employees are expected to sign a confidentiality and code of conduct agreement prior to the commencement of their employment. A probationary period of 3 months, with the option of extending by a maximum of two months, will apply. This is an ongoing position, but please note that all Leader's Office positions are open to restructure following an election or change of leadership.”
strewth@theaustralian.com.au