Insiders should be good on Sunday, with the
Prime Minister appearing and media proxy warriors Glenn Milne and Piers Akerman
on the couch.

But we’ve already seen some journalistic
jousting over the leadership latest, with Milne, Akerman and Canberra Press
Gallery president Karen Middleton appearing on The Media Report on ABC Radio National yesterday.

“I’m interested in your perception that I’m
seen as close to John Howard”, Akerman told host Gerald Tooth, “as I speak
regularly, far more regularly, with the Treasurer than I do with the Prime
Minister.”

Barrie Cassidy might like to ask him on
Sunday how often he hears from Bill Heffernan, too.

There’s been talk of dirty work at the
crossroads after Akerman’s hardball column cruelling Cossie yesterday.
And similar goss has been drifting around New South Wales
for the past few days.

Intriguingly, Crikey understands it sounded
similar to background briefs being offered by NSW Senator and Howard henchman
Heffernan.