Dear Christian: “Joined-Up Government” is big in the UK –
attempts by the spin-doctors and wonks to make sure that one
department’s programs do not cut across others’. Can you think of
similar examples in Australia?

Dear David: Funny that you should mention that. Industrial
relations has been the issue de semaine in politics this week – with
cashing out of leave an area of particular sensitivity. Tourism
Minister Fran Bailey,
however, boasted on Budget night about how much the government was
spending on promoting domestic travel and launched a dedicated $8
million Holiday at Home campaign
in March – and guess how they’ve been promoting it? By urging Australians to take their leave entitlements – and a local
trip.

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Dear Christian: Is Amanda Vanstone’s press sec a magician?
Palmer Inquiry flak is flying everywhere, Amanda is a rather large
target, and yet she doesn’t seem to have been hit. Has he made her
vanish?

Dear Kevin: Didn’t you hear PM
last night on faults in health care standards for detainees? An issue
isn’t an issue until the minister says so, apparently. “A spokesman for
immigration minister, Senator Amanda Vanstone, says because the Palmer
Inquiry report is due to be released next week, she’ll be waiting until
then to comment,” the report said.