Could it be that the man dubbed the "world's biggest Luddite" is actually tuned in and switched on to technology?

Australian Communications Minister Richard Alston has admitted accepting a loan of a swish plasma wide-screen digital TV worth an estimated AU$10,000 (£3,600) from monster telco Telstra.

Oh, and it means he can watch sport. And plenty of it by the sounds of it.

The admission has caused anger Down Under with one opposition politician claiming that he is "treating Telstra like his own private rental service, with the taxpayer footing the bill", according to an AAP report.

In a bid to draw a line under the row Senator Alston has said he will return the TV, but hasn't said when. Perhaps after the cricket World Cup has finished? Hmmm? ®