In the scheme of things, New Idea's year so far has been about as good as Channel Nine's; in between breaking embargos and paying Wayne Carey to talk about getting wasted and punching his girlfriend, suffice to say it's been a red letter start to the year for the mag.

Well, as though they didn't already share plenty of characteristics with Nine, New Idea is now apparently going on a boning frenzy, with staffers dropping left, right and centre. Health reporter Jane Worthington was apparently sacked via a phone call this week and is the latest to go.

Her firing follows the dismissal of New Idea veterans Patrice Fidgeon and Sue Smethurst last week.

Confidential sources yesterday alleged the sackings were part of a secret hit list poised to target current staffers Phil Koch, Lee-Anne Carter and Donna Ogier for the chop next.

Publisher Suzanne Monks denied the existence of such a list, confirming the trio's on-going employment.

"All (are) valued members of the New Idea team and are part of New Idea's plans going forward," she said yesterday.

In other staff changes, the magazine's beauty writer Chelsea Clark has been promoted to associate editor.

It's worth noting, too, that Smethurst is considering legal action as her sacking occurred two weeks before the end of her maternity leave, as is Worthington, both fighting the bonings on unfair dismissal grounds.

Awesome, top work New Idea! Walkleys all 'round!