Top lobbyist joins depression fight at beyondblue. Kate Carnell, the newly appointed CEO of national depression initiative beyondblue, is renowned as a steely operator — which is just as well. Her predecessor Dawn O’Neil lasted only nine months, quitting after Chairman Jeff Kennett allegedly bullied and undermined her.

Carnell, named one of The Power Index‘s most influential lobbyists late last year, has already flagged that she won’t attempt to stop the former Victorian premier from expressing his often controversial personal views. — Matthew Knott (read the full story here)

Baillieu right-hand man gets new job … in San Fran. Ted Baillieu’s Victorian government looks set for a change of direction with the Premier’s key advisor, Michael Kapel, leaving his chief-of-staff post to become the state’s representative in San Francisco, and Commissioner to the Americas.

Kapel’s resignation will mark a big shift for Baillieu, who we last week named the second most powerful person in Melbourne. Baillieu missed out on the top spot largely due to his slow moving progress and questionable performance, 14 month into his leadership of the government. — The Power Index (read the full story here)

Assange: internet hacker turned TV host. WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange will interview key “political players, thinkers and revolutionaries” as host of a new television talk show to be syndicated worldwide.

In a statement posted on the whistleblower website today, Assange announced that the TV series will comprise 10 weekly half-hour episodes and debut in mid-March. — The Power Index (read the full story here)

Power Play #12: be patient. Sounds easy. Turns out, it’s very hard. Patience these days seems to have very little place in a world of instant everything.

People start getting antsy if the elevator doors close slightly slower than warp speed, so there’s no telling what happens when it takes someone a little longer than it should to make their point in a meeting. — Rose Herceg (read the full story here)