Strewth: Marise sods off

Where in the world is Marise Payne? Reporters were told to expect the her at the turning of the sod for the western airport.

Marise Payne was forced to choose between Badgerys Creek and New York. Picture Gary Ramage

Where in the world is Marise Payne? Reporters at Badgerys Creek were told to expect the Foreign Minister at the turning of the sod for Western Sydney Airport yesterday. But she was a no-show. Was she late? Was she missing? Had she gone to the races? Asked why Payne wasn’t there, and if it was because she’s reportedly been cold on the airport in the past, Scott Morrison gave no clues. “Marise is, of course, an active supporter of the airport,” was all the Prime Minister said. No explanation on her whereabouts at all. Morrison could have said she was on a plane to New York to represent the nation at the UN General Assembly (which started yesterday). Payne’s office had helpfully put out a press release about the NYC trip on Sunday. The Prime Minister’s Office told Strewth that Payne was on their attendee list because she’s usually at big Western Sydney events. “It was an oversight … and she got on a plane this morning, so it was a quick turnaround,” a PMO spokesman said. Maybe Morrison should subscribe to his chief diplomat’s mailing list, just to keep track of her.

Baying for Oz Day

Byron Bay’s local overlords have told Morrison and Australia Day to get stuffed. The Prime Minister reacted furiously on Twitter yesterday to a Northern Star report that the Byron Shire Council had voted to move their national day celebrations to January 25. “Indulgent self-loathing doesn’t make Australia stronger,” he tweeted. “Our modern Aus nation began on January 26, 1788. That’s the day to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, become, still to achieve.” But Morrison’s suggestion “modern” Australia started with the First Fleet has only led Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson to dig in. “I thought it was Australia Day, not ‘Modern Australia Day’,” Richardson told Strewth,

“Having it on January 26 rubs salt in the wounds of indigenous people … Isn’t this country all about mateship? How is rubbing salt in your mate’s wounds the Australian way?” Richardson, who moved the motion to change Australia Day on Thursday, said the council would ask the federal government to let them hold their citizenship ceremony on January 25. Other councils to have made similar moves have lost their right to hold citizenship ceremonies completely. “We’ll ask but if the federal government doesn’t allow it, we’ll hold them on January 26,” he said. “It’s only a difference of 12 hours. It’d be unfair to make new citizens drive 45km to the next municipality.”

Paul Murray is Pauline Hanson’s pick for ABC managing director.

Pauline’s Paul push

You may have heard the ABC is looking for a managing director. Pauline Hanson has put forward Sky News’s Paul Murray. “This seems like a great chance to bring someone who will help the ABC become more fair and balanced,” the One Nation leader tweeted. “I nominate @PMOnAir.” We approached the conservative host and ABC critic for comment but we doubt he’s readying his CV. Hanson will have to find another way to add “fair and balanced” to Aunty’s charter and disclose the salaries of its top stars. Her plans, adopted by the government, have been withdrawn in the Senate following crossbench opposition.

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