Sydney’s most powerful: the contenders. Who are the people shaping Australia’s largest city? Next week, we start counting down the Top 10 Most Powerful People in Sydney. Here, Paul Barry presents the shortlist. — Paul Barry (read the full story here)

Ken Henry takes up job at NAB. Life just keeps getting busier for former Treasury secretary Ken Henry. As well as writing a white paper for the Gillard government on Australia’s engagement with Asia, he is now a member of the National Australia Bank board.

Henry, who retired in June after 10 years as Treasury secretary but continues to work as an adviser to the Prime Minister, will be a non-executive director of the bank from November 1. — The Power Index (read the full story here)

Bolt’s belly dancer fiancee speaks out. Conservative columnist Andrew Bolt is an opportunist who lacks emotional intelligence, according to a new profile published in The Monthly today. Feminist and author Anne Summers scored a coup by tracking down and interviewing a former fiancée of Bolt, whom he lived with for six years.

“Whilst Andrew might have a high IQ, his EQ (emotional intelligence) is obviously underdeveloped,” the ex-fiancee, who asked to remain anonymous, told Summers. “He appears to be blind to the impact that his actions have on others and then takes it personally when they respond.” — The Power Index (read the full story here)

The powerful who mattered this week. It’s been a strange, startling and sad week: the Australian publishing industry lost a brilliant entrepreneur and the marketing and technology world lost a genius. Meanwhile Richo caused a stir, Hoges sued the ATO and a Napoleonic palace is no more. This is The Power Index‘s roll call of people who mattered this week. — Hilary Simmons (read the full story here)