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At the big house itself, Nationals and Liberals were gathering to elect their new leadership teams but struggling to find refreshments. The ACTs Reconciliation Day public holiday meant that the buildings two eateries, The Aussies and the Trough, were shut and, leaving only Queens Terrace, the cafe bar that is, quelle horreur, open to the public.

Former member for Higgins Katie Allen (right) and current member Michelle Ananda-Rajah, were seated together on their flight to Canberra.

Outspoken NSW Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg seemed particularly confused, asking press gallery journos, twice, how he got to Queens but once he got there he joined a mass of sad Coalition types forced not only to contemplate life in opposition but to sit among the great unwashed to sip their coffees.

Coffees at Queens with Eric Abetz, Tim Wilson and Andrew Hastie.Credit:John Shakespeare

Beaten contenders Eric Abetz and Tim Wilson joined survivors Andrew Hastie, Stuart Robert, Alex Hawke, Hollie Hughes, Nola Marino and Melissa Price over a cuppa.

A small group of Labor types from WA; Josh Wilson, Matt Keogh and Patrick Gorman, who got quite a shock when a press pack - at least 20 strong - arrived at Queens direct from newly crowned Liberal leader Peter Duttons lengthy press conference in desperate need of caffeine.

The newbies escaped the encounter gaffe-free.

Dumped dissident state Liberal MP Bernie Finns defiant response to his expulsion from the parliamentary party last week included the claim that he had already been approached by six or seven other parties with offers to join their ranks.

Finn blurted the Lib-Dems as one of the outfits in the chase, before reeling it back in and refusing to name more names.

But when CBD called a senior Liberal Democrat figure, who didnt want their name in the paper next to this matter, an approach to Finn was news to them although thats not to say it hadnt happened.

There might be some philosophical issues, the Lib-Dem told CBD.

We also put in a call to Clive Palmers United Australia Party, whose approach to COVID-19 public health measures is not far removed from that of Finn. We havent heard back.

Pauline Hansons One Nation shares some of Finns trademark anti-abortion views, so we called them too. Nothing doing, at least so far, according to a party spokesman.

The man himself, in response to CBDs enquiries, was giving little away.

Discussions are well advanced, Finn said on Monday, but he wouldnt say with whom.

Labor and Greens can be safely ruled out, we reckon, but Bernie has the power to surprise.

We were intrigued to learn, for example, that Finn was about to embark on a regular segment on Neil Mitchells breakfast show on Melbournes radio 3AW (owned by Nine News and Entertainment, publisher of The Age), teaming up with Reason Party (formerly Sex Party) leader Fiona Patten.

Its true that Finn has taken a flexible approach to his hardline Catholic principles in the past, but taking to the airwaves with the woman he has dubbed Satans Little Helper is news indeed.

SPOTTED: After his big sporty weekend new PM Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon caught the final performance of Wayside Bride at the Belvoir Theatre on Sunday. Albo came in a private capacity to the 2pm matinee to support his friend actor Sasha Horler and, when the COVID-safety address announced there was a PM in the room, he got a round of applause before the actors had taken to the stage. The drama which centres around Wayside founder Ted Noffs heresy charges which he ultimately won against the church, in his fight to make Australia more compassionate was was right up Albos alley.

Also Sam Kerr, spotted briefly in Spike Lees directors cut ad to celebrate Nike 50th anniversary. The soccer star was the only Australian athlete to appear.

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