Parliament’s back for a week. The Government will be striving to get Kevin Rudd’s measure, while Labor will continue hazing Howard.

“It will be fun to play with his mind for a while,” Kevin Rudd has said. Well, the Maxine manoeuvre was pretty good. But it’s also a gamble – and a very obvious reminder of who the predictable political power players are.

Forget the Fin’s folio. Forget the obvious. We want to do something better. We’re putting together a Crikey list of the political and media figures who will really decide this years’ federal election. People with power – with and without glory.

Who cut the McKew deal? Someone in the shadows of Sussex Street? And we all know about that swag of seats that Labor needs to win in Queensland. So who is the most powerful Sunshine State shock jock – and why? That’s the sort of info we’re chasing.

Your nominations, please, to christian@crikey.com.au.