Poor Kerry would be turning in his grave, again. The word on the street – according to News Ltd reports – is that James Packer has decided to sell out of the media and spend his money on buying more casinos.

Political power in Canberra has become harder than ever to effectively use, so who's got the skills, popularity and support to wield it best? We're currently counting down the Top 10 most powerful and influential people in Canberra. Here, Bernard Keane presents the shortlist.

When The Power Index spoke to New Ltd boss Kim Williams late last year, he told us that he's not backward in coming forward. We reckon he's lived up to his word today.

Corporate governance experts say Gina Rinehart's big shareholding in Fairfax in no way entitles her to board representation.

We're not sure how Clive Palmer's going to manage his time if all the court battles he's vowed to pursue in recent months actually end up in court.

Casino mogul and political donor James Packer has distanced himself from Bob Katter's much-maligned gay marriage ads.

Australia still has a good way to go on gender equality. Luckily, we've got a long list of incredible women – and men, but mostly women – using their influence to tear down the patriarchy.

Geoff Cousins is not super rich and doesn't spend millions of dollars of his own money on crusading. But he wins a place in our Rich Crusaders list for putting his reputation on the line for two famous causes.

Frank Lowy hits back at Clive Palmer, Stephen Conroy gets a win, art world salaries ramp up and Clover Moore could be up against US-style primaries. Here's a run-down of today's power moves.

Mark Textor is the most domineering, divisive pollster this country's ever seen – and the most powerful. Even his Labor adversaries admit no-one on their side of politics can match him.

It's hard to imagine how either government legislation or footballers' bullying is going to stop services like Optus' TV Now, the one that has got the AFL and NRL so excited.

A few months back, when crafting our Sport power list, we identified the industry's multi-billion dollar broadcasting rights as one of the most important pillars of influence. Now, we're seeing just how willing broadcasters and administrators are to fight for their slice of the action.

Stephen Conroy is the most powerful Media Maestro in Australia, beating the Sun King, Rupert Murdoch, into second place. And here's why.

Kim Williams is the new boss of Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd. But we reckon playing second fiddle to Murdoch will be a tough gig for this one-time composer.

Mining billionaire and freshly-elected Channel Ten director Gina Rinehart has pleaded with Andrew Bolt to continue hosting The Bolt Report in 2012 despite the show's dismal ratings performance.

With controlling stakes in Australia's highest rating TV network, Channel Seven, the nation's second-biggest magazine group, Pacific Magazines and The West Australian, the 71-year old tycoon should be a real power in the land.

Simon Banks understands the Labor Party better than any other lobbyist. He's worked on five ALP federal election campaigns, was Kevin Rudd's chief of staff and helped broker the deal between the independents and the Gillard government.

Incoming News boss Kim Williams, as well as the man replacing him at Foxtel, Richard Freudenstein, have both been granted some help for settling into their new gigs from the competition watchdog of all places.

What Stephen Conroy wants, Stephen Conroy gets. Right now that means we're all paying for the infrastructure needed to create the National Broadband Network, whether we want it or not.

Cardinal George Pell’s new pilgrim centre in Rome has just been blessed by the Pope. But how much did it all cost? And who exactly is paying?