Hillbillies

A PRICELESS nugget that emerged from his listening tour of the nation last month is that Brendan Nelson is fond of guitars. So much so that he owns six of them, including one stashed in the car — just in case he gets taken by the urge to strum while on the road, one presumes.

Not to be outdone, Kevin Rudd has made his own foray into the music debate on the political stage. Writing in yesterday's Financial Review, former Labor leader Mark Latham accused the PM of having a chip on his shoulder about country folk and their taste in tunes. "He is fond of telling people that once you leave Brisbane and cross the Pine Rivers you can hear the sound of banjo music," Latham wrote.  read more »