Giving the nod

SKY News's David Speers skilfully showed why even in today's media landscape full of political showmanship, it pays to keep one eye on the past.

SKY News political shark David Speers skilfully showed why even in today's minute-by-minute media landscape full of acutely choreographed political showmanship, it pays to keep one eye on the past. In a press conference attended by Schools Minister Peter Garrett, Families-and-other-exhausting-things Minister Jenny Macklin and the usual press-gallery rabble, the ever-coiffed Speers hit Garrett with a line drawn straight from history.

As frontman for the 80s band Midnight Oil, Garrett co-wrote and sang the anti-war song US Forces. "What do you think about more US forces being based in Australia?" Speers asked, referring to rumoured plans for a beefed-up US military presence at our bases and training areas in the north of Australia . "Is it a setback for our country?" He continued, borrowing heavily from the song's famous lyrics. Laughter crackled around the room, while Garrett and Macklin shot each other silent grins. But Garrett proved, despite past sentiments, he's still a cool man under fire. "I note the comments that have been made by, uh, by the Defence Minister and others on that matter," he said. "You see what the government has said up to this point in time, David; I don't propose to add to anything to that."

Going nutty at APEC

JULIA Gillard has missed her opportunity to be decked out Hawaiian-style in a coconut bra and grass skirt at the APEC talk fest, with world leaders instead opting for dull office gear. The PM appeared keen on a dress-up when she was heard asking Barack Obama about grass skirts as they prepared for APEC's official photo. The leader of the free world muttered something about coconut bras before adding "we decided to end that tradition". It was a major letdown for those who like to see their leaders on display looking silly. Remember Australia's Drizabones back in 2007? Obama had originally promised to do the same two years ago when he announced APEC would take place in his home state. "I look forward to seeing you all decked out in flowered shirts and grass skirts," he said at the time. But it was not to be, with some saying the decision to opt for suits was in recognition of today's austere times.

Angry birds dabbler

SPEAKING of austerity, Julia Gillard's travel itinerary will henceforth fall as much under Strewth's steely gaze as her predecessor Kevin 747's has, after Rovio, the company behind her favourite mobile game, Angry Birds, last week launched its own kitschy retail store -- in Finland. One sharp-eyed snapper caught the PM playing Angry Birds on an iPad last year, soon after her British counterpart, David Cameron, was outed as a fan. At first her office reportedly denied the iPad was even hers, but then admitted, somewhat cryptically, that she "dabbles in Angry Birds" on bus trips between political stunts. Strewth understands Ms Gillard did not attend the Angry Birds store launch party, but will be scrutinising her itinerary for upcoming junkets to Finland. Staff were tight-lipped yesterday.

Cool on Schoolies

A LONG way from Canberra but not so from controversy, Schoolies Week kicks off this Friday on the Gold Coast. The boys in blue have been making all their usual noises about doing the right thing, and copping it if you don't. But it turns out the annual rite of passage -- much beloved by teenagers but equally bemoaned by experienced adults -- might not be as much fun as advertised. Gasp! Sandra Jones, a professor at the also-beachy University of Wollongong on the NSW south coast, asked about half a group of 500 school leavers what they thought would happen when they were finally set free: not surprisingly, the boys thought they'd do it fast and loose, as they'd seen on TV, while the girls thought they wouldn't. Many of both sexes said they expected to drink too much and "hook up". At the end of the week, the other half of the group told Jones that's pretty much what happened but, perhaps surprisingly, seven out of 10 of their number rated the week-long booze-up negatively.

Ring the halls

STILL on celebrations, Christmas has sprung on us, or at least sprung on Strewth again, as it has a habit of doing late in the reindeer-free southern hemisphere spring. And artistic director and spokesman for the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Paul Dyer wants us all to join in the fun. Dyer has been spruiking his orchestra's Christmas concert, the somewhat effusively titled Noel! Noel!, as redolent of the "oasis of sights and sounds, delicious salads and sweets" he recalls from family Christmases at the beach, with "added Brandenburg flavours". "Noel! Noel! is a dash of baroque, a splash of European and Latin American rhythms, some medieval chant and much-loved carols." Strewth feels sated already.