Only on-camera work for popular ad man. No truth to the rumour that advertising tycoon and Gruen Transfer talking head Russel Howcroft is taking a management role at Ten. The George Patterson Y&R chief told us today he’ll appear on camera more at the network, including appearances on The Project, but that’s the extent of it. Well, that and he’s pitching a new show to network brass called “Noble Erections”. It’s about statutes. We think he’s kidding (and seems like more of an ABC show to us).

News works seven days, including Brisbane. As News Limited tabloids move to a seven-day roster — starting with The Advertiser/Sunday Mail in Adelaide — word from Brisbane is that Courier-Mail editor-in-chief David Fagan was left a little miffed by the plan. A newsroom spy reports Fagan addressed staff over a report in The Australian about the move to abolish dedicated Sunday teams, slapping The Oz for its disloyalty in revealing the plans. Fagan essentially confirmed The Courier-Mail would fall into line eventually but no timetable was given. Our source says June seems likely.

Learn online or get out: News editor. Meanwhile, there’s no doubt Fagan is serious about his paper having a digital future. Staff were told in no uncertain terms that anyone not taking digital training would “have to explain why they should remain employed” by Queensland Newspapers.

That’s Mr Caltabiano to you, says D-G. Former Liberal MP turned director-general of Transport & Main Roads in Queensland, Michael Caltabiano, has apparently been generating a lot of mirth among staff. “Not only does he insist on being called MR Caltabiano, but his email signature includes all his qualifications after his name,” according to our spy. “Not quite the done thing in the modern Queensland public service. Seems indicative of someone a little insecure in their position.” We’d never suggest such a thing.

No help for walkers from Vic government. The Victorian government’s TravelSmart program is designed to help reduce traffic congestion and “promote active, sustainable transport” — particularly around schools that face traffic gridlock at drop-off and pick-up times. “But the word is,” says our source, “this vital program is being killed off, in what appears to be a short-sighted effort to cut costs.” Local councils and schools are furious, we’re told.

A spokesperson at Victoria Walks (a VicHealth initiative) wasn’t aware of the cut, directing us to Ted Baillieu’s office. We’ll ask the question and let you know. Andrew Crook reports on other funding cuts from the state budget elsewhere in the edition …

Centrelink promotes debt, no credit. We love your experiences in welfare bureaucracy. Here’s another from the congested queues at Centrelink:

“When reporting a new income to Centrelink (which would affect an entitlement), the exact amount could not be calculated until after expenses had been deducted from the gross income and these would not be known in full until a tax return was filed, so an estimate would have to be made. ‘Never mind,’ I was immediately told, ‘a debt could easily be raised’. When I asked about a credit, in the event of over estimating the net income, the answer was that ‘there probably would be a way of doing it’, but the officer was ‘not aware of the details’!”

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