Photo’s a no-no for Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin at book launch

Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin attended the same book launch on Monday, not that you’ll find any photographic evidence.

The invitation to the crossbench Christmas party in Canberra

Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin attended the same book launch on Monday morning at Sydney’s Tattersalls Club, not that you’ll find any photographic evidence. A Strewth source overheard Credlin telling PR guru Max Markson she didn’t want to be pictured with her former boss, as snappers desperately tried to set up a shot with the former Liberal dynamic duo. Abbott and his former chief of staff were determined to avoid overshadowing Kevin Donnelly and his new book, A Politically Correct Dictionary and Guide (featuring cartoons by this paper’s Johannes Leak). Abbott’s name was mentioned first in the email subject line of the morning media alert but it was Credlin who stepped up on stage to speak. The former prime minister didn’t say a word and refused to answer questions from reporters.

Moderate expectations

Malcolm Turnbull’s moderates are preparing their response to Abbott’s rock star farewell dinner attended by more than 1000 loyalists this month. Turnbull’s $75-a-head cocktail party on Thursday is being hosted by his factional friend Bruce Baird at Rushcutters Bay’s Cruising Yacht Club, around the corner from his Point Piper residence (which, of course, led to Credlin coining the nickname “Mr Harbourside Mansion”). Strewth understands the Turnbull tribute is invitation-only, with the guest list a modest 150.

New kid on bloc

Labor MP Andrew Leigh’s factionless faction in federal parliament has doubled in size — to two. The member for Fenner has been joined by Alicia Payne, the new member for Canberra, who also is non-aligned. Not to be confused with the unaligned (those who genuinely don’t have a faction), the non-aligned hold meetings and do numbers — so are effectively a faction by another name. The factionless faction is a Canberra oddity. Strewth understands Leigh and Payne have formed an informal bloc, with a staff member moving from the former to the latter’s office after the May election. So, what should we call this new clique? The Skywhale Splinter? The Roundabout Ring? Leigh and Payne have been dubbed the “indies” (short for independents) within Labor circles and sources say they have substantial support from other ideologically inclined but faction-free branch members. By joining forces they outnumber the two other ACT Labor federal parliamentarians — the Left’s senator Katy Gallagher and CC (Centre Coalition, Canberra Labor’s right faction, which includes ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr) MP David Smith. Leigh refused to give Strewth any details, saying he wouldn’t comment on “internal party matters”. Payne was more forthcoming: “I wouldn’t describe us as a faction as we don’t bind on candidates or policy issues. But Andrew and I do provide a great service to the party; on Mondays at 5pm we are on chamber duty when everyone else is in faction meetings.” Things are going so well, we hear Leigh and Payne are co-hosting a Christmas barbecue in a few weeks to which people from all points on the political spectrum are invited.

Canavan goes on

The Parliament House festive fairy lights have officially been switched on and the silly season kicks off on Tuesday with the crossbench Christmas tipple co-hosted by Andrew Wilkie, Bob Katter, Helen Haines, Zali Steggall, Rebekha Sharkie and Green Adam Bandt. Wilkie is bringing an “unusually large quantity of pizzas” and Bandt has promised to provide Victorian wines. After a few mango wines Katter is known to perform karaoke. Luckily for the Queensland maverick, Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan informed the Senate that thanks to the Morrison government’s infrastructure spending “we’ll have better mangoes coming soon — because there’ll be less bruising of those mangoes on smoother roads just near Darwin where they’re grown”. Bonza!

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