Good looks, bah

QUEENSLAND Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek has been spelling out why he's the right man for the premier's gig, this time in Brisbane News magazine, where he has spoken adoringly of his sister, broadcaster Kate Langbroek.

QUEENSLAND Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek has been spelling out why he's the right man for the premier's gig, this time in Brisbane News magazine, where he has spoken adoringly of his sister, broadcaster Kate Langbroek.

"She is forthright with her opinions. Along with Gretel Killeen and Wendy Harmer, she's forged the way for intelligent women to express themselves." Which is precisely the sort of thing you'd hope your brother might say about you, unless you were a bloke, in which case a little tweaking could be required. But J-P is nothing if not forthright with his own opinions, saying this in the same interview: "Kate is one of a handful of women in the public eye who've built a career based on their intelligence, not just being pretty." It would be a bit rough to springboard from this to asking whether J-P, a devilishly handsome chap, built his career based on intelligence or good looks; but he has in the past admitted to using Botox. At the very least, it should make for a fun conversation topic if he ever finds himself at a social event with the Queensland Premier, the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.

Red ink is cheap

THE Sydney Morning Herald was wielding the word "exclusive" with tremendous abandon on its front page yesterday, perhaps as a practical solution to a glut of red ink at Fairfax. One of the stories - "Sydney to go it alone as power producer" - is about plans by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore to get chunks of the city off coal-fired electricity and on to the sparky stuff generated by tri-generation gas turbines. Exciting, and yet familiar. Here's a line from this august organ on November 15, just one of several stories on the subject: "Ms Moore wants to install a network of more than 100 tri-generation turbines that could power 70 per cent of Sydney's electricity needs by 2030." We're all exclusive now. Alas, deputy editor Mark Coultan hadn't responded to our invitation to share his thoughts by deadline; but we understand if he's distracted. [Seamless segue to next item.]

Going deep vertical

FAIRFAX employees have been through a lot recently. They were promised a strategic overhaul a fortnight ago that would take the company into the brave new world of digital media. Instead they got a confusing management restructure, a video message from chief executive Brian McCarthy and the promise "to help develop the 'deep verticals' that will back future development". [We're not sure what the subtitles said at that stage.] But at least they could count on the annual copyright payment, a bonus the company collects on behalf of staff and pays in early December. The payment has in the past been around the $600 to $800 mark [yes, Strewth did sit up and pay careful attention at this point], but this week the company informed everyone it would be . . . $122.83. They say in space, no one can hear you scream. In cyberspace, it's a slightly different matter. The good news is that editor-in-chief Peter Fray is off to university to ponder the role of an editor, so everything could come up roses yet. Here endeth our special Fairfax advertising feature.

Pet advice abounds

WE'VE been a little concerned about the relationship between federal members for Kooyong and dogs. Earlier this year, Shirley MacLaine claimed in an interview she broke up with Andrew Peacock (what was she thinking?) when Peacock told her to get rid of her pooch. "That's what came between Andrew and me," she said at the time. Nevertheless, we're keen to help the latest member for Kooyong, Josh Frydenberg, settle a doggy debate with his fiancee: whether to get a pug (her choice) or a labrador (his). Strewth reader Jeff King has a suggestion: "We have a terrific border collie cross kelpie sheep dog. Any sheep steps out of line and he bites them. Perfect for a party leader." Something to keep in mind for a little farther down the track, Josh. Jerry Mayer is taking a different stance: "If he gives in to his fiancee even before getting married, he'd be doomed forever after." Meanwhile, one of Strewth's advisers on canine matters has suggested a boxer as a compromise. And a fine breed they are, even if both the boxers Strewth has known were so proficiently flatulent, they should have been named after characters in Gone With the Wind. Frydenberg is giving it some thought.

Goodbye Grinch

TOUGH line of the day, courtesy of Tanya Plibersek: "I was disappointed to learn today that a junior departmental officer had written a memo to Centrelink and Medicare offices suggesting people should not display nativity scenes as part of Christmas decorations. The memo was inappropriate and I have ordered that the Grinch be found and counselled." Yikes. For good measure, Plibersek wishes every one of us a merry Christmas.

To PM, from Tony

WE don't yet know what Tony Abbott wants for Christmas, but at least we know what he'd get World Cup video star Julia Gillard. Asked on radio this week what he'd give the PM, he replied: "I sometimes think anger management courses."