From the Crikey grapevine, the latest tips and rumours …

Missing editor? There’s a fair bit of talk among some journos about what has happened to Andrew Critchlow, who was (and possibly still is) the Australia/New Zealand bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones newswires (both News Corp). It’s a role he’s held for a few years. Some months ago Critchlow, who was (and possibly still is) based in Sydney, attended a strategy session in Singapore with company chieftains. Rumour is he has not been seen in the Sydney bureau since. Sources claim the newsroom has been told he will not be coming back, but no reason was given to staff as to why. Rumours are swirling.

Crikey asked Wall Street Journal Asia editor Paul Beckett whether Critchlow remained in his role; “no comment” was the answer. Other questions elicited the same response. Meanwhile, the company is advertising for a political reporter in Australia (apparently replacing someone who is going to Hong Kong). Can you clarify the situation? Send Crikey an email (and yes, you can stay anonymous …).

Midwinter Ball gossip. Press gallery stomachs are churning on several fronts this morning in the aftermath of last night’s Midwinter Ball, which has already gone down in history as the most shockingly catered Parliament House event ever. Vegetarians were left thrashing under the yoke of a very plain cauliflower with cheese ensemble, while carnivores had to make do with an unadorned salmon concoction, leading some scribes to wonder whether the staff canteen had simply slopped its bain marie buckets onto the silver service trays in the Great Hall.

Host Bob Downe was generally well received, but a few people winced at his Christopher Pyne impression, and he committed a glaring howler when he mistook the resplendent Jacqueline Maley for prime-time television identity Annabel Crabb. Downe was onto something, though, when he asked where Kevin was — Rudd had already appeared to have left the building, Downe deferred instead to Peter Hartcher. Under-pressure Gillard comms director John McTernan cut a lonely figure in his traditional kilt, joining Andrew Fraser and Age trainer Colin McKinnon as other media figures partial to a plaid. The PM took the honours in the official speeches — a single joke from Tony Abbott about blue ties failed to cut the mustard, while Gillard managed to talk up the chain mail she’d apparently managed to fit under her gown.

Fast-talking Australian Financial Review scoop king Phil Coorey gave a short speech acknowledging his win as the Paul Lyneham gallery journo of the year for the second year running, thanking partner Fleur Anderson before returning to the scrum of lubed fellow hacks. Fairfax’s Tony Wright and Aunty’s Sabra Lane were runners-up.

The “period” theme coincided with the first year that Instagram has been a proper thing, with thousands of selfies snapped by the more glamorous TV contingent until well after midnight. Oh, and tens of thousands of dollars were raised for charity. All in all, an enjoyable night on the tiles, but certainly not on the digestive tract.

Alcohol management plan challenge. Yesterday the High Court dismissed an appeal against a sly grogging conviction on Palm Island. Palm Island is one of 15 indigenous communities in Queensland with a strict alcohol management plan in place, with people on the island allowed to possess only one slab of light or mid-strength beer at any one time.

The High Court decision puts the Queensland government in an interesting position of defending a policy that it’s in the process of examining, with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Glen Elmes announcing a review into AMPs last October. Eight months later and no community has yet put in a proposal to review its AMP, but it is expected several — including Palm Island — will.

What will that mean for the 700+ people on Palm Island — where a bottle of rum can go for $150 on the black market — who were appealing their convictions against alcohol possession in light of the High Court challenge, including Palm Island mayor Alf Lacey?

Crikey will be examining the review into AMPs further. If you’ve got any insider information — with from within the Queensland government or from within indigenous councils and communities — please let us know.

Look at me! We hear that federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou “has just letter dropped her electorate of Calwell with an eight-page brochure. There are 35 pictures of her in it.” Is this some kind of record? Can anyone else beat it? Drop Tips a line — and feel free to scan in your pollie PR.

In case you missed it, here’s another pic 

A Jolly party for Nine hack. Veteran Channel Nine Queensland political hack Spencer Jolly is pulling up stumps. The good folks up at Mount Cootha have been invited to a shindig on Friday in the halls of power. Please be out by 10pm, folks …


*Heard anything that might interest Crikey? Send your tips toboss@crikey.com.au or use our guaranteed anonymous form