Govt changes mind again, honours Gonski deals

The Government has moved to quash criticism that it was breaking a promise over schools funding, announcing it will honour Labor's Gonski commitments for four years and boost spending to those states that had not signed up by $1.2 billion. ABC

We never promised, says Tony

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the Coalition will honour election promises it has made, not those voters "thought" it was making.

ABC

Pyne goes back to the drawing board

Walks away from Gonski. ABC

Abbott Government: Week 8 in review

whatup T. Abbs?

• Business lobby urges the Commission of Audit to implement congestion charging
• Commission members get paid a cool $1500/day
• Joe Hockey blows out the budget by $3.1 bn
• Chris Pyne found to be talking out of his arse on independent public schools
• The ACCC claims to be running out of money, asks Hockey for more
• Greg Hunt claims scrapping the carbon tax will immediately lower electricity prices. Somehow.
• Joe sticks up for Tony, because action man Abbott is flat out running the country.
• Fairfax captures footage of Tony not answering questions from some mean journos. They obviously didn't get Joe's message. Also, this now qualifies as political journalism.
• George Brandis keeps a promise to Andrew Bolt, sticks up for white people's freedom of speech.
• A boat was almost turned back.
• Tony Abbott talks to journalists for long enough to say "it wasn't me" who cut funds for CSIRO.
• Indonesia declares itself unimpressed with turn back the boats.
• The boat that was almost turned back was not turned back after all.
• "But my wife is super well qualified" is heard after Tony tells MPs to boot family members off the payroll. 

Liar liar Pyne on fire

The ABC fact checks Chris Pyne on independent school outcomes, and finds him unsubstantiated.

There has been no measured improvement in student outcomes in WA independent public schools. "All international evidence" does not point to the fact that the more autonomous a school, the better the outcomes for students.
Mr Pyne's claims are unsubstantiated

Students burn Tony Abbott effigy, chase Joe Hockey

there may be hope for young people stilll

The protesters burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and threw shoes at Liberal Party headquarters in a rally against proposed federal funding cuts to higher education.

About 100 student protesters gathered outside parliament house in Spring St before the group marched into the city.

news.com.au

Nats break ranks with Pyne over fees

This post could also read "nats struggle to maintain relevance on country issues"

Nationals MP Michael McCormack says his party is likely to oppose any move from the Coalition to abolish the fees, after reports today Education Minister Christopher Pyne plans to abolish them. ABC

Midweek roundup: Week 2

What zany antics have Abbott and co been up to now?

• Commonwealth departments being scrapped.
• Scott Morrison isn't telling anyone about boats
• Joe Hockey cleans up after Barnaby Joyce craps on Indonesia.
• Julie Bishop talks to the Tele about clothes, bitchiness, babies, all that girly stuff
• We think eight boats have come but who knows
• Malcolm Turnbull speaks highly of the man who ruined Telstra
• People are being mean and boycotting big business, never fear uncle Eric is on the case
• Christmas Islanders gagged as part of Don't Ask Abbott about Boats
• Naturally we are not to be told if a boat is turned around
• Julie Bishop went to the UN. Did she slum it in business class?
• While there, she received a loud and clear message from Indonesia.
• A people smuggler in jail points out the gaping hole in the boat cone of silence.
• Malcolm Turnbull says bar lease on NBNCo while he comes up with reasons to can it.
• In the meantime they're working on innovative ways to use copper, which isn't outdated at all.
• Christopher Pyne gets in on the action by scrapping uni targets for the disadvantaged and service fees.
• He also decides to that not capping uni places is a non core promise.
• Palmer United in blocking Abbott, but divisions already emerge between Jacquie and Clive.
• Doctors are concerned about rushing asylum seekers through before they can be properly treated.

Stay tuned for more shenanigans. 

Chris Pyne, continued

Hot on the heels of yesterday's skullduggery comes news of a reneged promise not to cap uni places.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne

Yes, Christopher Pyne is really in charge of Education. Unsurprisingly, he's starting with some cuts.

The Abbott government plans a drastic overhaul of the higher education system, including axeing the compulsory fee collected by universities to support student services and scrapping Labor's targets to lift participation by disadvantaged students. SMH