Is Western Australian Liberal State Director Paul Everingham about to take up a similar position on the other side of the continent? Crikey was told Everingham is on leave this week when we called Menzies House in Perth. He is one of the few people to emerge from the Liberals’ state election campaign with any glory – although his often caustic style means that plenty in the party aren’t all that fond of him – and the rumour mill insists he’s heading east.

There is supposedly a short list of two for the New South Wales Liberal’s top job, which reportedly pays a handy $250,000+ a year. Stories say that former Bruce Baird staffer and Malcolm Turnbull helper Scott Briggs is one of them. Is Everingham, the son of the famous conservative heavy, number two?