It's a rare event where a speech by Paul Keating gets overshadowed, but that's what happened at last night's ACTU congress dinner.

HSU whistleblower Kathy Jackson is in demand on the speakers' circuit, footy blowhard Jason Akermanis has the PM's phone number and BOF is urged to hire an old Liberal flame.

Bill and Chloe Shorten dampen speculation about their marriage, a new code has been suggested for MPs behaving badly and The Star casino scandal (surprise, surprise) effects business.

Presenters at Sydney's top-rating talkback station 2GB have accused Julia Gillard's chief spin doctor, John McTernan, of bullying and abusive language.

Former News Limited press gallery heavy hitter Glen Milne has made a long-awaited return to the pages of The Australian, penning an op-ed about the supposed political reincarnation of Peter Costello.

As Treasurer Wayne Swan delivers his fifth budget today, he can take some comfort from the fact it wasn't just Bernard Keane and The Power Index who voted him Canberra's most powerful politician - it was readers of The Power Index too.

Don't look now, but self-described faceless man Paul Howes is having some regrets about his starring role in the disposal of ex-PM Kevin Rudd.

Michael O'Connor isn't fazed that Paul Keating once called him a Labor rat who should be excommunicated from the ALP. In fact, the forestry industry firebrand wears it as a badge of pride.

Trade unions have never been so irrelevant to Australians, and yet union leaders have incredible clout when it comes to political and economic life.

This week, Bernard Keane and The Power Index have been counting down the most powerful politicians in Canberra. Now you can tell us who you think should have been number one.

Victoria's state budget has been handed down, Julia Gillard looks for friends in the business world and all eyes on the Big Four.

Clive Palmer announces a tilt at federal politics (and new cruise ship plans), Twiggy Forrest has another crack at Wayne Swan and Bill Shorten becomes an internet sensation.

The Labor government’s lost the authority and audience to deliver a compelling, influential message – and has handed the ability to dictate the national debate to the Opposition in the process.

Singapore names an orchid after the PM, Rudd shines on Weibo, Nine scores a rare victory.

If there's an engine room of political power in Australia, it's cabinet. And like most engine rooms, it's hidden out of sight, its operations little understood by the rest of us.

It seems everyone's got an opinion about the Reserve Bank of Australia at the moment, with a swarm of Labor-aligned special interests ganging up to tell the central bank how it should act on interest rates.

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.

It's flack against flack as PR legend John Connolly sues Libs polling king Mark Textor over an errant 140 characters.

The Stop the Loss Coalition -- which includes churches, The Salvation Army and activist group GetUp! – hopes the ads will encourage Julia Gillard to strengthen her poker machine reform legislation by adopting a $1 bet limit and/or a pre-commitment scheme.

Ray Hadley celebrates 30 years in radio, Janet Albrechtsen dusts off The Latham Diaries, Alan Jones spruiks for his buddy James Packer.