James McGrath becomes Deputy Federal Director of Australia's Liberals

I am delighted to report that James McGrath - Australian by birth but a big player in Boris Johnson's recent mayoral victory and for freedom in the Maldives - has been recruited by Malcolm Turnbull to be Deputy Federal Director of Australia's Liberals.  James will head the campaign unit in charge of all target and marginal seats.  He will work to Brian Loughnane, the experienced and much respected Federal Director at the last two elections.  James left London at the weekend and began work in Canberra on Tuesday.

Ousting Labor's Kevin Rudd will be an uphill struggle.  Australians tend to re-elect governments at the first time of asking but the latest opinion poll gives Mr Turnbull a little more encouragement.  It puts Labor's lead at 8% compared to 18% last month.

Tim Montgomerie