Delhi or bust as former Labor lights eye plum post

Former NSW Labor leaderJodi McKay has been living a colourful life since losing her job last year. McKay,who describes herself on Instagram as a “country girl living in Australia who loves sarees” has just been appointed head of the Australia India Business Council.

It continues McKay’s full-on love affair with all things south Asian – she’s been spotted at no shortage of community events around Sydney lately.

And it’s also gotten a few tongues wagging about the possibility of McKay furnishing her CV to succeed former NSW PremierBarry O’Farrell as the next High Commissioner to India once his term runs out in the coming years.

India bound? Jodi McKay,Lisa Singh and Tony Abbott.

India bound? Jodi McKay,Lisa Singh and Tony Abbott.John Shakespeare

It’s likely to be a pretty high-profile job,especially with the most recent census finding India overtaking China and New Zealand to become the third most common country of birth for Australian residents.

But McKay could face some pretty stiff competition from former Tasmanian Labor SenatorLisa Singh,who’s been chief executive of the Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne since last year,and who CBD hears also harbours aspirations for the plum post.

Singh,who CBD hears has been taking Hindi classes since starting the role,would have a slight advantage as Australia’s second federal parliamentarian with Indian heritage.

But there’s one more figure we’re sure would be keen. Former prime ministerTony Abbott,a self-appointed India expert who was sent to New Delhi by the Morrison government to help accelerate trade talks,and was back in the city this month for an advertising conference,where he sang the praises of the country’s right-wing strongman PMNarendra Modi.

While the two really are kindred spirits,we doubt a Labor government would seriously appoint Abbott. Then again,they did reappoint him to the Australian War Memorial Board,so maybe they’re more comfortable with all that.

Enter stage right

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Sydney reckons it’s secured a coup with the addition of Sky News after-dark talking headDaisy Cousens to the speakers line-up for the event in October with organisers spruiking her “quirky accent,amazing fashion and willingness to speak her mind”.

For sure.

But the right-wing Coachella’s venue is still shrouded in intrigue.

Organisers originally indicated the event would be held at Luna Park but abruptly dumped those plans amid dark insinuations about a “cancel culture mob” trying to derail the whole affair,which they were strangely reluctant to talk about.

But everything seems to be on track now with the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour,although there’s no mention of CPAC on the ICC’s website. In fairness,the centre makes it clear that the site is not an exhaustive list of its upcoming events and it is promoting a solo performance in late September from one of CPAC’s major drawcards:Mr Brexit,Nigel Farage.

Nor can the convention centre be accused of shying from spicy politics.Julia Gillard’s sell-out showNot Now,Not Ever is on a couple of days after CPAC wraps up its event and the following month,the ICC will play host to an evening in the company of Canadian lefty-baiting provocateurJordan B Peterson.

Masked medicos

COVID-19 mask mandates have a dwindling bunch of friends in Australia with NSW,South Australia and Queensland the latest jurisdictions to allow passengers on public transport to show their faces.

Although the rules were rarely followed or enforced,there remains a small band of diehards – including Victorian PremierDan Andrews– who aren’t ready to let go of mask mandates.

But unsurprisingly,the Australian Medical Association,or doctor’s union,came out fighting hardest against the mask changes on Tuesday.

PresidentSteve Robson fumed that decisions on the pandemic were being taken by governments “without notice,clear guidance or public health advice,” and with “no consultation and no discussion”.

In other words,without asking the AMA first. The association,which has vigorously opposed nearly every loosening of COVID-19 restrictions,is still not over national cabinet’s recent cutting of the mandatory isolation period from seven days to five,again without seeking the union’s blessing.

Masks,along with booster shots,are now the nation’s best defence against further waves of the virus,says Robson. But they didn’t help him much back in July when he caught COVID-19,most likely from attending the AMA’s national conference in Sydney.

He had described it as “the most COVID-safe event I’ve been to”.

Divorced dad energy

NSW One Nation leaderMark Latham rather cryptically announced his separation from wifeJanine Lacy in “rather unique circumstances” on Monday.

Whatever that means,it gives Latham more time to post offensive memes on Facebook,and use Legislative Council questions on notice to fight the woke agenda one LGBTQI-inclusivity measure at a time.

In late August,Latham went on a tear about the bathrooms signs at Northlakes High School on the Central Coast,asking education ministerSarah Mitchell whether boys were being encouraged to use girls’ toilets. The answer filed on Monday showed the school had simply replaced figures with “he/they” and “she/they” signs on its bathrooms. He also took issue with Birrong Girls holding a Wear It Purple Day and Nepean High School’s celebration of Pride Week.

Remember,this man was one bad handshake away from The Lodge.

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Kishor Napier-Raman is a CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Previously he worked as a reporter for Crikey,covering federal politics from the Canberra Press Gallery.

Noel Towell is Economics Editor for The Age

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