The Ferret: Why Christian Porter suddenly withdrew from ABC’s Perth Q&A show, and Murdoch University’s long CBD campus timeline

Wake up, Murdoch! Firstly, let me start by saying the Ferret thinks a university campus in the CBD is a damn good idea. Having only gone to the school of hard knocks, I can’t imagine what it would be like for a uni student to be able to choose from so many “taverns” where they can drink cheap beer and discuss the meaning of Finnegans Wake by James Joyce (all the while hoping nobody notices they didn’t make it past the first page). In all seriousness ... I actually agree for once with Perth MP John Carey on this issue when he says that a major undergraduate campus in the east-end of our capital city is “critical”. There is no doubt the retailers are crying out for a bigger population. And more people equals more eyeballs which equals less violence. So it was a little disheartening when I was sent the actual Murdoch University “expression of interest invitation” document this week after its chief operating officer Darren McKee went all out to the media saying how keen he was to get on with development. There’s some nice figures in there. For example, it wants about 5000 students at the “new, purpose-built premises” across a “leased floor area of up to 15,000sqm”. It also says Murdoch sees this as “a long-term opportunity involving a 30-50 year horizon”. But buried in the document it also says it doesn’t see academic operations starting until the “2024 academic year”. That’s a long wait for retailers and for our capital city. The Ferret’s money is still on Edith Cowan University winning the bid to enter the city in a major way. The ABC of talent spotting Say what you like about the herbal tea-sipping cardigan wearers at the ABC, their Saturday morning newspaper reading habits are beyond reproach. You will remember that last weekend the Ferret delivered the news that Aunty was bringing its Monday night whinge-fest Q&A to Perth but had neglected (or forgotten?) to invite on anyone from Seven West Media — by far the State’s biggest news organisation — to its panel. Well that oversight has now been corrected. The West’s Federal Political Editor, Lanai Scarr, will be taking her place on the panel with WA Labor MP Anne Aly, human rights lawyer Hannah McGlade and Fitzroy Crossing broadcaster Dylan Storer. But before this starts sounding like its a media release for the public broadcaster, I also have some gossip. That illustrious group was meant to be joined by Attorney-General and the man who proved GetUp! really were just a bunch of plonkers, Christian Porter. But alas, that well-known Star Wars nerd (remember the X-wing starfighter tattoo he got after May’s miracle election win?) apparently mumbled some excuse about about having to stay home and binge-watch spin-off TV series The Mandalorian. Who can blame him, the baby Yoda looks pretty cute, right? Which opened up a spot for none other than Zak Kirkup, without a skerrick of doubt the most handsome and fashionable young man ever to represent the Liberal Party in any State parliament in Australia. And that’s exactly why Flashpoint — WA’s very own current affairs show which airs on Channel Seven on Monday nights and rates better than Q&A — had Kirkup on the program’s inaugural episode in September. Imitation is the best form of flattery? In the dock We all know how much The Ferret loves to tell his readers when he gets it right (I’m telling you the McGowan Government really does believe Ronaldo IS coming to Perth). And sure James Clement missed out on being the new Fremantle Dockers chief executive replacing Steve Rosich. But it’s pleasing to see I was close to the money. Fremantle announced last week that its former player and one-time Collingwood Magpie had been appointed to the club’s board of directors. The Ferret understands that Clement ruled himself out of the CEO job. And I’ve also heard that the decision between Simon Garlick and chief commercial officer Scott Gooch was line-ball. While Gooch missed out, he rocketed into favouritism to replace longstanding West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett when he retires (which is meant to be soon).