Strewth, it's 'no worries' Tony

With a glass of beer in one hand and sporting yet another casual shirt, this was Tony Blair taking the Australian outdoor life to heart. But observers were wondering whether his shirt wouldn't be more suited to his son Euan's wardrobe than that of the British Prime Minister.

Mr Blair was wearing a striped, longsleeved designer top for an evening barbecue at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Australia. The garment was part of Nicole Farhi's 2002 Spring-Summer collection and retails at £85.

Downing Street, fresh from dealing with a string of inquiries about Mr Blair's saucy Paul Smith-designed shirts, seemed unenthusiastic about answering questions on the stripey top.

"Mr Blair got his shirt from a shop that sells clothes," said the Prime Minister's official spokesman.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had maintained the casual look when making a speech in Coolum, Queensland. He dispensed with a tie and undid the top button of his shirt.

It looked so informal that anyone listening might have been excused for forgetting that Mr Blair was addressing other Heads of Government and that fellow delegates included the Queen.

Giving the Australians another fashion talking point, Cherie Blair wore a highly distinctive white chiffon outfit embroidered with shell patterns to the barbecue.

Mr Blair's clothes had already raised eyebrows on his Australian tour after it was revealed that he had packed the two Paul Smith shirts with images of naked women on the cuff.

In stark contrast to Mr Blair's laidback approach, the hotels in the sundrenched resort have banned staff from wishing guests a cheery "G'day". Instead, guides, messengers, porters and reception staff have been ordered to use "hello", "good morning" or "good evening".

According to a spokesman for the Novotel Twin Waters hotel, "people stepping off the plane straight from African nations might be confused to be greeted with 'G'day'." But he admitted: "Every now and then the odd 'G'day' gets out."

A spokesman for the nearby Hyatt Regency in Coolum said staff had been directed to use "proper English". "We don't really encourage our employees to use 'G'day' anyway."

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