“He has been a fan and a huge supporter over the years,” Mezzatesta confirmed to CBD.“Even if he is the former PM he is still a big name in the room for us.” In Melbourne,whereJosh Frydenberg lost his seat of Kooyong to IndependentMonique Ryan,things are less clear. Melbourne Storm CEOJustin Rodskiconfirmed Frydenberg will retain his #1 male ticketholder status,but like most rugby league clubs,this will be reviewed at the end of the season.
Go the Sharkies:Scott Morrison at the footie. Getty
But in AFL the question was would Carlton Football Club strip the former treasurer in favour of the paediatric neurologist? Fittingly for a teal candidate,Ryan is a dedicated Blues supporter – so wouls the honour transfer to her? Adding to the complications,the Carlton president Luke Sayers is married to charity founderCate Sayers,whose flyer endorsement of her friend The Fry,started the whole endorsement controversy in the Kooyong campaign. For a while there was talk the #1 Blues ticket could go to Labor’sAndrew Giles, a Carlton tragic. It would be a bit of a step down if they went from treasurer to (would be) minister for multicultural affairs. A Carlton spokesman confirmed to us late last night,Frydenberg would remain #1 ticketholder until March when his two-year term expires.
But the real footy question that has the Canberra press gallery nervous,is when will new independent senator for the ACTDavid Pocock sign up for parliamentary touch rugby? At a presser this week,Senator Bam Bam confirmed to us “I’d be happy to lace on the boots” for the annual pollies versus press game. But will the former Wallaby great join the regular Tuesday/Wednesday runaround in sitting weeks too,which attracts the likes of former ALP shadow ministerPat Conroy and Queensland Labor man and author of vaguely erotic novels,Graham Perrett? They will all be quaking in their boots.
Green gets on his bike
Antony Green,Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb.John Shakespeare
ABC elections guruAntony Green looked like he was having a tough night during the network’s coverage of Saturday’s vote tally as the kaleidoscope effect of the surging teals,greens and traditional red and blue played havoc in the early counting with Green’s normally trusty seat-calling system.
Little wonder then that Green is treating himself to a little break,with the keen member of Sydney’s Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club,planning to pack his lycra and hop on his bike in July,heading on a cycling holiday to Italy.
Lucky him,we say.
Staying with Aunty’s election night effort,there has been some discussion of the sartorial choices of hostLeigh Sales and studio panelistAnnabel Crabb. Sales looked fabulous in a stylish two-piece of suffragette white;a colour favoured on big occasions by former Australia Post chairpersonChristine Holgate and former Liberal stafferBrittany Higgins,neither of whom could be said to be huge fans of defeated prime ministerScott Morrison.
Sales accessorised with earrings that were nicely understated but undeniably teal,as were Crabb’s spectacle rims. A subtle shout-out to former ABC colleagueZoeDaniel,one of the teal independents who ran rampant through Liberal heartlands that night? Not a chance,according to a senior ABC executive,who told CBD there was “no way” presenters would make a political point with their attire choices.
No graces in Griffith
Former ALP member for GriffithTerri Butleris now available for lunch,according to her Twitter handle. But in a rather graceless concession letter to the victorious Green in her seat,Max Chandler-Mather,the Queensland MP said:“I wish you well as you assume your responsibilities and seek to deliver on all of the commitments you have made … As to the practicalities of your new position,I assume Mr Bandt will be ready and willing to give you any relevant practical information ... As to the position’s responsibilities,it is worth observing that every MP defines the office of MP anew,as circumstances,temperament and inclination demand. Accordingly,I will not deliver any gratuitous advice.” Perhaps she got her people skills from former member for GriffithKevin Rudd.
We’re not in Marrickville anymore Toto
Toto Albanese,Australia’s first dog,opened a Twitter account on Tuesday,for all to follow the antics of the PM’s reindeer-antlered cavoodle,famed for donning a red bandana. No doubt an enterprising Coalition senator will ask estimates about the amount of taxpayer money being spent on it.
Given our strict quarantine laws,it is unlikely the PM’s pooch will board his VIP plane,which former PM Morrison dubbed “Shark One”. During the election campaign,we heard Albo’s team were calling his plane “Koala One” because he was hard to wrangle.
Tips? Email HPitt@smh.com.au