Top 10 Political Fixers #5: Bruce McIver. Christian cattle trucker Bruce McIver is the driving force behind Queensland’s new Liberal-National Party and the man who brought about the 2008 merger of the state’s two right-of-center parties. As president he is also the prime mover in the push to make “Can Do” Campbell Newman the state’s next premier.

But in his headlong rush to reshape Queensland’s political landscape, the self-made multi-millionaire, who just passed 60, has made an awful lot of enemies. ”He’s very disliked,” one Liberal grandee told The Power Index. ”The vast majority of Liberals see him as a person they want absolutely nothing to do with.” — Paul Barry (read the rest here)

Truckies split on convoy protest. The peak organisation representing the Australian trucking industry has slammed the Convoy of No Confidence protest, which arrived in Canberra this morning, as naïve and damaging to the industry.

The protesters, who are calling for a double dissolution election, have a multitude of concerns: the carbon tax, the ban on live cattle exports, the Malaysia refugee people swap deal, pokies reform and more. — Matthew Knott (read the rest here)

Upheaval for Cricket Australia with return of The Don. It may not be the apocryphal leather-faced batsman wielding the willow, but for cricket fans there must be at least a hint of comfort in finally seeing a man nicknamed “The Don” causing a stir in Australian cricket once again.

Sir Don may even be proud of how business legend Don Argus handles the long blade, after the former BHP Billiton chairman handed down his swingeing review of the state of cricket in Australia. — Tom Cowie (read the rest here)

Big names chase leadership on asylum seeker debate. Prominent business leaders have weighed into the asylum seeker debate for the first time by calling for an end to mandatory detention and greater political leadership on what has long been a divisive issue.

Australian Industry Group chief Heather Ridout, NAB chairman Michael Chaney and businesswoman Janet Holmes a Court are among those backing A New Approach, Breaking the Stalemate on Refugees and Asylum Seekers, a report released by the Centre for Policy Development today.

Unionist Ged Kearney, former Liberal Party leader John Hewson and novelist Thomas Keneally are also among the 34 well-known Australians who have given their stamp of approval to the CPD’s call for political leaders to end mandatory detention and increase Australia’s refugee intake. — Angela Priestley (read the rest here)