Angus Taylor staffer turns up in key ACT Libs position

It's the latest wheeze in the long-running saga involving Energy MinisterAngus Taylor,Sydney lord mayorClover Moore,and the whodunit of a forged council document.

In early December,The Australian newspaper identified the Taylor staffer who"obtained"the forged document — an official report that said the City of Sydney councillors spent nearly $16 million on travel in 2018 when the actual figure was less than $6000 — asJosh Manuatu.

Manuatu,for the record,has been a long-time Liberal staffer in Canberra and spent several years before his posting in Taylor's office as an adviser to Tasmanian senatorEric Abetz.

The last we heard,the NSW Police had palmed off an investigation,requested by Labor,to the Australian Federal Police. (The AFP confirmed it was still evaluating the matter.)

Despite this,Manuatu seems to have done well over the holiday break.

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Documentslodged with the ACT Electoral Commission late last week show Manuatu is to be the new registered officer for the Liberal Party's Canberra division.

The party's registered officer is an official position registered with the electoral commission,which has significant powers,including the authority to nominate and disendorse candidates.

Manuatu has long been touted as the next ACT Libs director and has chaired the party's local finance committee. Does his elevation to the position of the party's registered officer mean he's succeeded in taking the top job?

Nor he or Lib HQ responded to calls.

It's a crucial year for the Canberra Liberals,with an election due in October and with Labor,led by Chief MinisterAndrew Barr,having won five elections in a row.

Manuatu may have learnt a thing or two in Britain,where he spent his leave with Prime MinisterBoris Johnson's election staff including fellow AustraliansIsaac Levido andSimon Berger.