The CFMEU backs a winner: So the CFMEU is
to be the major sponsor of the Canberra Raiders ARL club?
A cruel person might suggest that the union obviously believes that the
club is more likely to win a flag in 2007 than Kimbo – otherwise they’d
be spending
their members’ money on something else.

Of the people: Locals in Victorian ALP
MP Mary Delahunty’s electorate have received invitations to attend a
splendidly democratic evening with their local member and Peter Garrett – a
snip at $500.

A set up? Brisbane’s Channel Ten ran an exclusive yarn last night about leadership speculation in the Queensland
Libs in the wake of the failed merger with the Nationals. Their cameras were
waiting when a group of MPs met at a cafe near Parliament House. Bruce Flegg,
health shadow and the man most likely received a call urging to attend – but
smelt a rat. A set up?

News from conservative parallel universes:
Arnie warns about global warming.
John McCain‘s been on about it for years.
David Cameron stages a photo op on a glacier.
He also says gay couples should receive tax breaks for getting married.
So very different from our own conservative leader (even though nearly
one in two Australians supports the legalisation of gay civil unions, according
to ACNielsen.)

Change in the Queensland Libs?
Has Queensland Liberal Party president and former minister Warwick Parer has done a deal to drop out of the presidential race
at the last minute? Is former president Bob Carroll on standby to slip back in
– after repairing his torn relationship with Santo Santoro?

Not quite the Ides of March: Just what is
it with March 13 and our last four prime ministers? Have a look at these dates:
Fraser, the Rt Hon John Malcolm, AC, CH
LIB 11.11.1975 – 11.3.1983; Hawke,
the Hon. Robert James Lee, AC ALP 11.3.1983 – 20.12.1991; Keating, the Hon.
Paul John ALP 20.12.1991 – 11.3.1996; Howard,
the Hon. John Winston LIB 11.3.1996 –.

Send in the troops: The fight to halt the
cane toad’s advance has taken a new turn with West Australian Environment
Minister Mark McGowan writing to Defence Minister Brendan Nelson asking for
soldiers to help prevent the toads marching into his state, The Australian
reports.
What sort of practical assistance might our boys and girls in uniform render?
Suggestions, please, to christian@crikey.com.au.