Premier planning major Cabinet reshuffle in August
With Premier Gladys Berejiklian set to reshuffle her Cabinet, backbench MPs have begun queuing up for a promotion — who will rise and who will fall? PLUS What did the PM get for his birthday?
NSW
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Who will stay and who will go? It’s the question everyone in Macquarie Street is pondering, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian preparing to undertake her biggest Cabinet reshuffle to date.
Possible ministerial vacancies include Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who may be sin-binned for putting his Canberra ambitions ahead of commonsense, while questions also remain over sidelined Sports Minister John Sidoti, whose future rests with the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Several of axed Arts Minister Don Harwin’s factional colleagues believe he’s paid the price for engaging in non-essential travel, but Harwin is understood to be contemplating his political future.
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Among the fresh faces expected to join the frontbench include respected Liberal MP Mark Coure, who was supposed to replace Constance until the Bega MP had a change of heart. Coure, who has graced this column almost weekly as the Premier’s rep on the NSW Liberal State Executive, remains the frontrunner for a promotion.
Also at the front of the queue is barrister Alister Henskens, SC, who we are told will one day be the next Attorney-General.
If the Premier’s in the mood for gender equity, she may promote Liberals Natalie Ward and Eleni Petinos.
Another contender for a post, although most say he will have to wait a little bit longer, is Manly MP James Griffin, who was described to us as “a teacher’s pet”.
Nationals Stephanie Cooke and Ben Franklin are also waiting in the wings.
The reshuffle’s firming for August.
POLLIE’S ENGAGING TIME IN LOCKDOWN
Being stuck inside with your other half for weeks on end may have ruined many a relationship, but it was the opposite in the case of Labor parliamentarian Walt Secord, who popped the question to his long-term love, theatre costume and set designer Julia Levitina.
Secord, who had confessed to have been “secretly worried” at the pair having to spend so much time together in the nation’s COVID-19 hot spot of Bondi, said isolation ended up being a revelation.
“At the height of COVID, living in the nation’s COVID hot spot, Bondi, I discovered that I did not regret a single minute in isolation with her,” Secord said.
“In fact, I enjoyed our time together.”
With Julia saying “yes”, the pair, who were introduced through a mutual friend six years ago, are already making plans to marry under the chuppah, the Jewish structure or canopy beneath which Jewish marriage ceremonies are performed.
“We will formalise the marriage as soon as I complete my Hebrew lessons and the Darkeinu (conversion) course at the Emanuel Synagogue,” Secord said.
“In short, I want to be buried next to her in the Jewish section of the cemetery, and I want to pass away first so that I am not in this world without her.
“Perhaps then, this COVID crisis has been a time for soul searching and realising what is truly important.”
Aww.
NOT ANOTHER C-BOMB
A call for papers — government documents relating to a particular matter — usually sends ministers running for cover, but Police Minister David Elliott is understood to be “relaxed” about documents relating to his alleged road rage incident last year being released.
Elliott was accused of grabbing a 17-year-old P-plate driver after the teenager allegedly clipped the Minister’s car in October.
The minister later reportedly admitted telling the teenager “he worked for the cops”.
A subsequent investigation ordered by the NSW Police Commissioner cleared Mr Elliott of misconduct.
Unhappy at the outcome, the Greens lodged a call for papers and their release is imminent. The Sauce has heard they’ll reveal what the teenager allegedly called Elliott’s wife during the ordeal. (Hint: It’s a word that was kicking around last week during the Nationals leader John Barilaro and Transport Minister Andrew Constance barney.)
WHAT DO YOU BUY THE PM WHO HAS EVERYTHING?
A new toothbrush was among the gifts Prime Minister Scott Morrison received to mark his 52nd birthday last Wednesday.
The PM also got new RM Williams boots, a portrait of his late dad and a raspberry-white choc cheesecake with his beloved Mum, who’s been locking down with the family.
Got some sauce? contact Linda.silmalis@news.com.au or Annika.smethurst@news.com.au
Originally published as Premier planning major Cabinet reshuffle in August
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