I am a HSU member who needed to know from other members whether they had any prior knowledge or consultation of this amalgamation. I have contacted Barwon Health, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Health, Colac Hospital, Gippsland Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Portland Hospital and many more — the answer has been no. Contact with our union has been futile as we are rudely advised there is no official to discuss this undemocratic process with. This is the most undemocratic process I have ever experienced in my 40 years of membership in this union. What hope have workers got if their own union does not consult with the members who subscribe to keep this union running?

The HSU is in the Fair Work Commission on Monday against Monash Hospital. Monash Hospital has consulted with them right through the process, but HSU would not turn up to meetings or be in the same room as HSAM members. Talk is that they are bringing a commissioner down from Sydney for this hearing.

David Jones’ head PR girl was resorting to all sorts of tricks and games at Randwick races at the weekend. After Myer secured three front pages in two days last weekend with the Golden Slipper, its department store rival did everything to try to steal Emirates guest Bo Derek. The older boyfriend of the PR girl tried to jump onto a golf buggy that was secretly transporting the ’70s sex symbol to the airline’s glamorous marquee. Despite informing Derek’s group that he was a “racing” person, they quickly realised he was trying to hijack the buggy and quickly kicked him off. There really is no other store like David Jones …

Does Suncorp CEO Patrick Snowball spend more time in Brisbane (headquarters) or Sydney (better views)? Brisbanites are miffed their new messiah spends more time in Sydney, where the bulk of the company’s operations are now based (new CFO, all insurance and life/wealth management are in Sydney, with just the piddling bank run from Brisbane). Questions are being asked, including perhaps by the Queensland government, about where the real Suncorp HQ is located.

There must be a circulation war going on right now. On Saturday I was offered a free Financial Review at my local Franklins store. Today, a free copy of the Sydney Morning Herald. It had to be put through the register and then re-credited, so they must want it to look like a genuine sale.