Kissinger’s got nothing on him. Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay seems to have some unique insights into the Middle East, going by this response to a punter’s email. How to stop violence? “Lebanon should just return the two Israelis soldiers it kidnapped inside Israel and the fighting will stop immediately. Simple?” Er… didn’t some terrorists grab them, not Lebanon?

Drawing the line. The rumours are mounting in the wake of the draft NSW and Queensland redistributions. The thought of a reduced margin in Longman is giving Mal Brough itchy feet, the stories say. And better boundaries for the bruvvers in NSW have revived the tales that the ALP wants Steve Waugh as a star candidate.

One for Alan Jones fans. Are parrots “intelligent beings”? How can we help Singo and “encourage the responsible ownership of parrots”? What about “psychological diseases and care of these birds”? You’ll find answers at The Alex Foundation site.

Workplace relations. Is a Parliamentary Secretary from Queensland about to face a nasty storm over their unusually high staff turnover?

Does the ALP want to lose Franklin? The Apple Isle is aghast at the news that Cole Royal Commission star and Electrical Trade Union heavy Kevin Harkins seems set to win preselection for the Hobart based seat of Franklin.

At least they’re honest about it. Family First official David Forster has an interesting pitch to prospective candidates in the lead up to the Victorian state election: “In November this year, Family First intends to contest the State Elections and is seeking to run a candidate in every electoral district in Victoria (that’s 104 candidates). I have exhausted all my contacts to find suitable people who may be prepared to stand as candidates for Family First in the coming election. Do you know anyone who you think may be prepared to take on this role – maybe even you yourself. I know that sounds scary, but it’s really not that bad. The chances of getting elected into parliament are non-existent, particularly in the Western suburbs so there would be about four months of activity up to election day on 25th November.”