7:30 story ignites Greens factions. Viewers of last night’s 7:30 item on the political donations farce would have noted an interesting angle on how involved the Greens were in the ditched donations bill. Chris Uhlmann said the following:

“… according to Labor, the core concern raised by the Green leadership was that public money flow to the federal office and not state branches, which is a pointer to internal party tensions.”

Under questioning from a journalist, Milne admitted holding secret meetings with ex-special minister of state Gary Gray with the chief aim of kneecapping the states. Those branches, especially elements in NSW, are already hugely hostile to the current administration and close observers are expecting a outbreak of public retaliation in coming weeks to square the ledger.

Staffer traverses government and biz. Now this is clever/dodgy: the Labor staffer, we’re told, who’s taken a leave of absence without pay to work for a big corporate but apparently plans to return before the election to be eligible for his substantial taxpayer-funded payout before returning to the big corporate on September 15. Nice work if you can get it.

Big spat over constructing big Mac. McDonald’s is pressing ahead with construction of its controversial Tecoma restaurant in Melbourne’s Yarra Ranges in the face of fierce opposition. But we’re told the company has opted for a construction company based outside of Melbourne to build it so protesters can’t target the builder.

Papers originally lodged with the Yarra Ranges Council showed Melbourne-based Becon Constructions was going to build the contentious restaurant. A spokesman for protest group Burger Off told Crikey the group had been in contact with Becon to inform the company of its plans to protest the site, saying staff “were great and happy to work with us”. Yarra Ranges Council last week advised Burger Off that Queensland-based Lanskey Constructions would now build the restaurant. The protesters are yet to establish the same lines of contact with Lanskey to discuss their planned demonstrations.

Katter’s Twitter chatter: guns, hats. Bob Katter encouraged Twitter users to ask him anything yesterday. And the maverick Queensland MP was true to form with his responses, ranging from the predictable lines on the Australian farming industry and jobs being lost overseas to emphasising the right for “boys to be boys” and own firearms while going camping and having males teach football (in an entirely heteros-xual way of course) …

Crikey intern Shaun Ewart questioned Katter about his opinion on racism in Australia — prompting the revelation he’s had many “knuckle-ups” over racist incidents. But he emphasised the politically correct element in Australia is just as “dangerous” as a knuckle-swinging northern Queenslander …

But Katter wasn’t afraid to tackle the tough issues his party will face come the September 14 federal election, such as his strong public perception …

And, of course, the maker of his trademark cowboy hat …

Musical chairs game at Fairfax. Apparently things get a little willing at Fairfax’s Media House in Melbourne each morning now “hot desking” arrangements have kicked in. With nobody guaranteed a spot it’s a race from the lockers, laptop under the arm, to secure prime position for the day’s work. Some teams still manage to sit together; others are putting dibs on space (and meeting rooms) much to the chagrin of their colleagues. And after giving up floors to outside tenants, and more Rural Press staff set to move into the remaining floors, there’s concern some could start to miss out in the daily game of musical chairs. Or at least have to sit next to the toilets.