Abbott Government: Week 12 in review

• The Government does another 180 on Gonski funding,
• news.com.au photoshops Tony Abbott as the Grinch.
• Coalition MPs attack the ABC.
• Joe Hockey hops in bed with Christine Milne, to do a debt deal.
• Ian McDonald goes off message to criticise the PM's office.
• Julie Bishop goes to Indonesia and says some things about cooperating
• Meanwhile T-Abbs says the spying will continue
• Tony is also very angry at Holden for having everyone on tenterhooks, says they won't get any extra money now.

Julie Bishop diplomatic superstar

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has agreed Australia will adhere to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's six-point roadmap to restore relations between the two countries, and also to set up a “hotline” to manage the details of Indonesia's withdrawal of co-operation.

Ms Bishop brought a high-level delegation of bureaucrats and advisers to meet Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natelegawa on Thursday, to begin, in her words, to “restore the relationship” after damage caused by phone-tapping revelations. Fairfax

Abbott Government: Week 10 in review

• Tony Abbott generously gifts two clapped out old patrol boats to Sri Lanka. 
• Malcolm Turnbull mumbles something about the future of the NBN.
• There's a rental house in Canberra costing taxpayers $3,000/week but man of the people Tony Abbott rejected it.
• Indonesia recalls their ambassador over the spying kerfuffle.
• Tony 'No apology' Abbott refuses to apologise.
• A three star general tells Senate estimates no boats have been bought under the abortive boat buyback scheme.
• There's been a mixup on APS job cuts. 
• Indonesia suspends cooperation on people smuggling.
• Jakarta Globe headline: Abbott advisor compares Indonesian foreign minister to 70s porn star
• Amidst all the excitement Barnaby Joyce decides not to go to Indonesia.
• Tony Abbott writes a letter to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Probably doesn't contain an apology but no one knows except SBY (and ASIO, and whoever else reads his mail)

Tony Abbott writes back to Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over spying row

How quaint. We're not made privy to the contents, of course. ABC

Barnaby decides not to go to Indonesia

Can't help but feel they dodged a bullet. ABC

Abbott still not one for apologies

Tony Abbott rejects Indonesia's call for spying apology, calls for cool heads amid diplomatic row
Abc

Indonesia recalls ambassador over spying

The diplomatic dream team of Julie Bishop and Co face their biggest test yet. ABC

Trust Julie Bishop

Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa says it is "not cricket" forAustralia to spy on the region at the behest of the United States, adding he has sought clarification from his Australian counterpart Julie Bishopon an important issue of "trust". Guardian

Our spies are legal

Tony Abbott told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday that he would not make public comment on intelligence matters in keeping with longstanding practice, but he suggested any activity being undertaken by Australian agencies or officials was entirely lawful Guardian