From the Crikey grapevine, the latest tips and rumours …

Marching to orders not everyone likes. Labor/labour loyalists took to the streets of Brisbane today for the annual Labour Day march. Though one insider was tipping it wouldn’t be a united front:

“Traditionally ALP members march at the back of the procession with trade unions affiliated to the Queensland Council of Unions marching at the front. This year ALP head office has released an edict to ALP members to stand at the front of the march and applaud the trade unions as they march past. This has infuriated many ALP members who are incensed at being asked to clap unions such as the CFMEU who supported non-ALP candidates at the recent state election. Some ALP members are threatening a boycott.”

We’re not sure if there were any no-shows. Drop us a line if you know more …

NAB supports business, some in India. If the NAB “sees Australian business”, as its latest television commercial suggests, why would they go to the trouble of sponsoring the Victorian Manufacturing Industry Awards at Crown Casino last Thursday and include in the showbags given to each guest a mini football made in India? “Thanks for supporting local manufacturers,” says the anonymous dinner guest.

Bingo for kids, five years and over. They’re starting them young at South Sydney Juniors Rugby League Club. As our buffet-eating spy says: “Maybe they can give out free ciggies too …”

Coles bubbly goes flat for shoppers. “Has anyone else noticed,” writes one Crikey correspondent, “how Coles Liquorland in Sydney, when its bubbly range goes flat (literally), that instead of chucking it they just reduce the price and sell this flat fizz to unsuspecting punters?” Surely not …

*Do you know more? Send your tips to boss@crikey.com.au or use our guaranteed-anonymous form.