First,it wasThe Australian’s editor-in-chiefChris Dore who stepped down abruptly under a cloud of alleged “lewd comments” towards a woman,and “personal issues”.

Next,it was shock jockChris Smith,dumped by 2GB andSky Newsafter alleged inappropriate behaviour at a Christmas party last week,roasted by colleaguesRita Panahiand Andrew Bolton his way out the door.

It wasn’t the first offence for Smith. His record dates backmore than a decade and includes fondling colleagues’ breasts and exposing himself to staff.

So,News Corp Australasia’s executive chairmanMichael Miller thought it was about time to issue a stern reminder on Tuesday in case anyone was confused.

“I want to say something as plainly as possible. Do not let a bad choice you make at a party undermine all the good you have achieved.”

In a classic case of rewriting history,Miller said News Corp staff treat people fairly and the company values of respect do not change “once we finish work” (except for when they do).

But in a world where one man’s “bad choice” is another man’s alleged harassment,it seems it’s better late than never to set the record straight.

Caltex teals

Teal independent candidate for North ShoreHelen Conway has quite a formidable CV,notably spending four years as the well-regarded boss of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Conway’s LinkedIn bio curiously omits another major career achievement – namely her stint as corporate counsel at fossil fuel giant Caltex. Perhaps it’s not a great look given her typically teal platform of climate,conservation and koalas.

Then again,Conway isn’t alone in working for Caltex. Back in the 2000s,as a general manager at the company,one of her subordinates was none other than sitting North Shore MPFelicity Wilson,who held various roles in media and government relations during a four-year stint.

Their paths then diverged – Conway was handpicked by the Gillard government to run the WGEA,while Wilson held roles in the Liberal Party and Property Council before being elected in 2017.

Open for business

The post-election embrace by big business of Labor-leaning lobbying firms continues apace,with Counsel House the latest to hang its shingle out in Canberra.

We’ve previously noted that business is booming for formerJulia Gillard adviserEamonn “agent of infection” Fitzpatrick and former Wayne Swan andBill Shorten adviserRyan Liddell,who’ve both set up lobbying shops.

Now Counsel House,a lobbying and strategic comms shop run by formerKevin Rudd andStephen Conroy adviserClaire March,is expanding aggressively.

The firm boasts former Shorten andClare O’Neil stafferTom Cameron,ex-Rudd,Gillard and Shorten spinnerAndrew Porter and has just addedLouise Crossman,who’s previously worked for ministersEd Husic,Andrew Leigh andJulie Collins,to lead its Canberra office.

The firm has recently opened offices in Tasmania,the NT and Queensland to add to its Sydney and Melbourne digs. Who said Labor was bad for business?

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