A small, slight, greying, bespectacled father of nine, now nearing 70, Eddie Obeid dominated NSW Labor politics for almost two decades.

Senator John Faulkner wants the Labor Party cleansed of its unionist bosses, but this political-fixing legend's minority view diminishes his power.

A Catholic, like Tony Abbott, whose office she runs, Peta Credlin has been chief of staff to three Liberal leaders, and you'd better believe she's got what it takes.

He's left Canberra but Karl Bitar's still playing politics

Bill Ludwig is the most feared political fixer in Australia and among the most brutal. When Kevin Rudd called for the Labor Party to be purged of 'right-wing thugs' it was Ludwig he had in mind.

Bouncy is the best word to describe Michael Photios, the Liberals' powerful kingmaker in NSW. But lively, likeable, and irrepressible would also do the trick.

Not so long ago Mark Arbib was Australia's #1 political powerbroker. Times have changed, but Arbib surprisingly still retains some power.

Bruce McIver is the driving force behind Queensland's new LNP and the man who brought about the 2008 merger of the state's Liberal and National parties.