Why is Nick Minchin really quitting politics? People close to the hard-right senator are saying that his sudden decision to quit was made long ago. Apparently he has been complaining endlessly about the pay cut he copped after the last election when he went from leader of the government in the Senate to opposition leader.

ALP internal polling for the seat of Longman has turned it from a slim 1.7% margin to 5.6% given the 19-year-old LNP candidate. There’s internal disputes between the LNP president who supported the young boy and the federal Liberal party who may put their own candidate in the seat.

Former state member for Kawana and “Minister for Nothing” Chris Cummins is sniffing around for an opportunity to enter federal politics. The one-time supporter and confidant of disgraced Queensland state minister Gordon Nuttal is seeking to contest the Sunshine Coast federal seat of Fisher as an ALP candidate. Word has it that this perennial candidate has fallen out of favour with all sections of the party, but is pushing on regardless. Could his chances once again come to “nothing”?