Rudd and the power of the op-ed page. Much attention has been paid in recent days to Kevin Rudd’s frenzied schedule of TV appearances, press conferences, and visits to schools and shopping centres, but not to his opinion writing.

But Rudd’s been busy with the pen, with today’s piece in The Daily Telegraph marking his fourth opinion article published by Sydney biggest-selling newspaper over the past month — almost 4000 words of copy. All up, Rudd has written 24 opinion articles in the past twelve months, with most appearing in The Australian. — Matthew Knott (read the full story here)

God and gambling: the cardinal goes missing. Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen has used his moral authority as a church leader to condemn sports clubs that benefit from the losses of pokie addicts. In his opening speech to the 49th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Jensen took aim at the pokies lobby, which is trying to block new laws to combat problem gambling.

Sports clubs are “at the mercy of commercial interests appealing to our greed,” he warned. “The social capital created by sporting associations is being funded by the real capital of addicts.” — Paul Barry (read the full story here)

Jones one head of many in power sculptures. Recently named as one of Australia’s most powerful Megaphones byThe Power Index and a key pick for our Sydney Top 10 power list, Alan Jones has now been made immortal by North Shore sculptress, Linda Klarfeld.

The 2GB breakfast host and 10 other prominent Australian personalities are the subject of Klarfeld’s new sculptural series, Icons of Business. — Hilary Simmons (read the full story here)

Blanchett gets backing for arts precinct. How’s that for power? No sooner does The Power Index publicise Cate Blanchett’s desire to create an arts precinct in Sydney’s Walsh Bay, than the idea receives official backing. But was it her or was it us?

A report commissioned by the NSW government, Planning for Sydney’s Cultural Activities, has come out in favour of building a new 2000-seat theatre as part of the Barangaroo redevelopment (which adjoins Walsh Bay), to keep up with Melbourne and Brisbane. — Paul Barry (read the full story here)