Strewth: Troy boy

PM hails a worthy Trojan whose passion knows no bounds.

It was one of the more endearingly phrased queries put by a journalist to a national leader in the field in recent times: “Prime Minister, on the Julia Banks issue — yeah, the Julia Banks decision to run as an independent in Flinders — how concerned are you about that? Your reaction?” ScoMo was ready to defend his Health Minister from the Lib defector chasing his electors: “Greg Hunt has worked like a Trojan for his community from the day he was elected in the seat of Flinders …” For the benefit of those a bit murky on the phrase, it’s a reference to the hard-toiling people of ancient Troy rather than the computer virus or the condom brand (even though both are also known for not shirking the hard yards). As for Hunt — the man who a handful of months back dreamed of being deputy to prime minister Peter Dutton — had some very nice things to say about ScoMo. As for the more immediately pressing matter, Hunt set the mood in the very opening line of his media release yesterday: “I am passionate about the Mornington Peninsula community.” He went on the ABC to chat with Jon Faine, cementing his position with a certain indefatigability: “Look, my focus is on the Mornington Peninsula, I’m passionate about my electorate.” And: “For me I’m just deeply passionate about my community.” Also: “I’m just completely passionate about, and whether it’s Gunnamatta Beach or protecting Point Nepean or (and so on) …” Then for good measure: “Having deep connections and history and passion for your own community, I think, is one of the most important things you could ever have in parliament.” Turn the clock back a day and you’ll find him already warming to his theme, in the process carefully treating Banks’s name as an old thespian might Macbeth’s.

Journo: “Do you expect Julia Banks to run against you as an independent?”

Hunt: “I’ll let the individual in question determine their own future. I grew up on the peninsula. I’m passionate about it.” Despite all that passion, we’re sure our interpretation of ScoMo’s line is the right one. (Italics all ours.)

Number fundamentals

Morrison faced a different sort of number-crunching when he went on 2GB with Alan Jones, the broadcaster revealing he is of the long-scale school of thought when it comes to big numbers.

ScoMo: “That’s why I’ve been saying that now for many years but particularly now as Prime Minister — $200 billion of higher taxes which includes this most pernicious …”

Jones: “I wish you’d say two hundred thousand million. Two hundred thousand million.”

ScoMo (in something of a mini policy statement): “Whichever way you like.”

Jones: “I know.”

ScoMo: “I’ll do it whichever way till Sunday, mate …”

Them’s the breaks

Generosity, thy name is Terri Butler. The Labor MP and nascent bucket-hat aficionado has sent her constituents not one but two calendars. “Why another calendar?” the second inquires. “Our Christmas elves got a bit too enthusiastic and added some extra public holidays to 2019 …” A bit more effort and she can realise the elusive purity of the Dandy Warhols vision where every day is a holiday. Butler is ALP spokeswoman for workforce participation, so we give this one an extra hearty five stars.

Multi-taskers united

In what may possibly be an efficiency drive, the Greens have put some of their folks up as candidates in both the federal and NSW elections. Among them are Kristyn Glanville, who’s one of the queue of people trying to knock off Tony Abbott in Warringah, as well as having a crack at James Griffin in Manly. Another is Charles Jago, who’s running for Drummoyne and the federal seat of Reid (presently held by Craig Laundy). Hopefully this apparent pessimism is misplaced and they will win whichever election comes up first, not least to satisfy our curiosity about what sort of chaos would follow in the other campaign.

Splash cash

It was an on-water matter of sorts as Liberal Democrats senator (and hopeful NSW state pollie) David Leyonhjelm got billed to the tune of $4300 for the crime of not registering his backyard pool. We’ll hand over to AAP’s matter-of-fact phrasing: “The Liberal Democrat had argued there were several reasons why he shouldn’t have to pay a $220 fine from his local council, including that the pool register invaded his privacy and that a council officer exercised ‘gender bias’ against him by not fining his wife too. But Burwood Local Court magistrate Eve Wynhausen … didn’t agree and ordered the senator to pay a $1800 fine and cover most of the City of Canada Bay’s legal fees.” Still, it was worth a shot. Nothing ventured and all that.

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