Tony Abbott's Oxford transcript

Apparently he wasn't the best scholar. Fairfax

The National Interest

Treasurer Joe Hockey this morning announced the decision to reject Archer Daniels Midland's $3.4 billion bid for the eastern grain handle, saying he had to take the national interest into account. ABC

and Barnaby Joyce is going around like the cat that got the cream

Gift to Indonesia to go ahead

Because nothing says I'm sorry like an old transport plane.

Defence Minister David Johnston says Australia's handover of an old C-130 Hercules to Indonesia will go ahead, despite cooperation being suspended between the two countries.
The aircraft flew over Darwin this afternoon and has had its Australian markings removed. ABC

Tony Abbott  is probably the worst re-gifter in the world, considering he just gave Sri Lanka some old boats we don't want anymore.

Hockey offers States billions to sell off assets

States will receive billions in federal government tax incentives if they privatise assets to fast-track the construction of productivity-boosting infrastructure projects under a deal reached between state and Commonwealth treasurers. The arrangement will be of most benefit to NSW and Queensland which own billions in unsold assets, such as power utilities.  Financial Review

Julie Bishop annoys China

China has dismissed Australian criticism of its newly declared air defence identification zone as "completely mistaken", and raised the possibility of damaged relations between the two trading partners. ABC

Plug pulled on Drug and alcohol funding

The Federal Government has withdrawn funding for the national peak body representing the alcohol and drug treatment sector, forcing the immediate closure of the 50-year-old organisation.

The Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) was told late yesterday that its core funding would be halted as part of the Government's budget deficit reduction strategy. ABC

Indonesian president responds to Tony Abbott's spying letter

The Indonesian president called for calm on the issue, but said bilateral cooperation would not resume until the Australian Government signs up to behavioural protocols and a code of ethics.
Former Army chief Peter Leahy hand-delivered the letter on Saturday, a move the Government labelled a sign of respect, and a presidential spokesman earlier today said the letter was "in accordance to our expectations". ABC

Pyne goes back to the drawing board

Walks away from Gonski. ABC

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

Jakarta Globe: Abbott Adviser Compares Indonesian Foreign Minister to ’70s Porn Star’

Campaign strategist Mark Textor made the derogatory comment on Twitter as ties between the two countries plunged to their lowest point in years after a series of spying allegations.

“Apology demanded from Australia by a bloke who looks like a 1970′s Pilipino [sic] porn star and has ethics to match,” said the tweet, which has since been deleted. link

Indonesia suspends cooperation on people smuggling

indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says all military and intelligence cooperation with Australia is on hold until he gets a proper explanation as to why Australian spies tried to tap his phone.
Mr Abbott used his statement to the House, shortly after Mr Yudhoyono's press conference, to again stress his "deep and sincere regret" over the embarrassment suffered by the Indonesian president. ABC

Job cuts - redux

Political recriminations are flying in the wake of the government's decision to dump its policy to save $5.2 billion by cutting 12,000 public service jobs by natural attrition.

The Coalition is using Finance Department advice to accuse Labor of hiding job cuts of 14,500 over the next four years caused by the ALP's efficiency dividends, and to justify apparently walking away from the policy. Fairfax

No boats bought

Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell has been questioned at a Senate Estimates committee hearing this afternoon.

He told Senators that no fishing boats in Indonesia have been bought.

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

Taxpayers spending $3,000 a week to rent home Tony Abbott rejected

Mr Abbott has been staying at the Australian Federal Police training headquarters while The Lodge undergoes major repairs.

It has emerged the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet signed a 12-month lease on a house in August, during the caretaker period. ABC

Malcolm hedges on NBN future

Mr Turnbull is now warning of "bumps in the road" in the rollout of "a colossal undertaking" which is now "a daunting challenge"."Make no mistake, to get this project back on track and completed in a reasonable time frame at a reasonable cost is a daunting challenge," he said.  ABC

Boats to stop the boats

Tony Abbott is giving two old Customs boats to Sri Lanka to help stop the boats

The vessels being provided have seen about 10 years of service with Australian Customs and will be brought back to full operational capability at a cost of $2 million.

ABC