We love a
list at Crikey. We can’t help ourselves – and our enthusiasm seems to
be infectious. A lowly Labor rating says there’s been a lot of talk
among the bruvvers about just who’s been listening to who over the last
week – not just the Smiths and Swans, but the staffers, too. Based on
this, they’ve compiled a list of the top ten Labor advisers – strictly
in alphabetic order, so it doesn’t favour anyone:

1. Silvana Catalano, Policy Adviser, Gillard office (best of the Gillard team)

2. Michael Cooney, Chief of Policy, Beazley office (better job for Beazley than for Latham)

3. Tim Dixon, Economics Adviser, Beazley office (very smart, at the centre of the action)

4. David Garner, Policy Adviser, Crean office (well regarded, one-man show)

5. Courtney Hoogen, Media/Policy Adviser (hardest worker)

6. Alastair Jordan, Media Adviser, Rudd office (massive job done well, best spinner in opposition)

7. Matthew Lindon, Policy Adviser, Swan office (smartest of the Swan team)

8. George Thomson, Chief of Staff, Beazley office (no enemies, good swansong)

9. Ashley Wells, Policy Adviser, Smith office (very, very smart)

10. John Whelan, Political Adviser, Beazley office (big strides in short time)

Somehow we imagine there’ll be a bit of comment on this. Send changes, corrections, and complaints to christian@crikey.com.au.