www.breakfastpolitics.com

FRIDAY

Tax, the Senate... Is the excellent health plan DOA?  Phillip Coorey SMH
Power is centralising, people. Get over it. Michelle Grattan, Age
"Is it time to abolish the states?" Michael Lund, Courier Mail
Rudd's plan: Another layer of bureaucracy & no new money for years, Tony Abbott, Telegraph
"Cabinet splits over tax, tactics", Dennis Shanahan, Australian 
Where's the Henry Report? Ben Butler & Phil Hudson, Herald Sun
"Health FAQs for the confused", Henry Ergas, Australian
Stephen Duckett doubts health plan's implementability, Mark Metherell & Katharine Murphy, Age
I've got doubts too - but I would, wouldn't I, Terry Barnes, Age
All Rudd did was announce his future negotiating position with the states, Chris Gardner, The Punch
Concerns well-established providers may get crunched in plan, Julia Medew, Age 
Rudd's state election millstones, David Gazard, The Punch 
And then there's Kevin's milestone drought, Alison Rehn, Telegraph
Kenneally to fellow premiers: Get behind health plan or go broke, Louise Hall SMH
Goward: Feds can't deliver services - it's not their schtick, Pru Goward, Australian
"Brumby doesn't really do apologies", David Rood, Age
Obama health bill puts pressure on President to delay visit, Simon Mann & Connie Levett SMH
"There's no doubting Abbott's sense of adventure", Dennis Atkins, Courier Mail
Abbott strangled by his own triangulation strategy this week, Mark Davis SMH
Why I went bush, Tony Abbott, The Punch
"Abbott hits Outback wall politics won't fix", Paul Toohey, Telegraph
"Abbott needs to stay ahead of the game", Dennis Shanahan, Australian 
Just like 1983, Fraser has crowd-pulling problem, Sean Nicholls & Leesha McKenny SMH
Now Rudd has advice for parents of bullied children, Alison Rehn, Telegraph
Experts hate it, parents like it, Courier Mail
Twiggy knocks off James as Australia's richest person, Kate Lahey, Age 
ACTU worried award modernisation will leave some worse off, Ewin Hannan, Australian
Cities - Rudd Govt to override states where necessary, Jacob Saulwick SMH
Neal's preselection looks shakey in Robertson, Erik Jensen SMH
Templeman now looks set for Macquarie preselection, Simon Benson & Richard Noone, Telegraph 
Jackie Kelly says lousy pay the reason she's leaving politics, Malcolm Farr, Telegraph
MPs entitlement system costs $37m a year to run, Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun
We're now more literate than we've ever been Anna Patty SMH 
ATO reaping rich harvest in small biz black taxes, Peter Martin, Age 
Some polygamists are trying to game Centrelink, Mark Dunn, Herald Sun 
Chantelois slams Rann apology, AAP/Herald Sun
Auditor-General, AFP probe dodgy batt deals, Tom Arup SMH
I wish those batt sharpies were running the country, Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun
Australia prepares for intl whaling deal to be cut with Japan, Andrew Darby, Age
AFP Tel Aviv probe team has problematic bingle, Jason Koutsoukis, Age
Labor faces potential backlash over asylum seeker approach, Steve Lewis & Ben Packham, Herald Sun
Big private college the subject of migration fraud probe, Sushi Das, Age
Morrison: Christmas Island now a revolving door with visas attached, Yuko Narushima SMH
Boeing shuts in Sydney, moves 300+ jobs to Melbourne, Matt O'Sullivan & Jessica Mahar SMH
Debt - fine in small doses, Jessica Irvine SMH
Free-to-air networks to deploy "catch-up TV" technology, Julian Lee SMH
Tories side with Murdoch against BBC, Jonathan Freedland, Age
Not all artists deserve govt support, Barry Cohen, Australian
Art teacher wins National Photographic Portrait Prize, Yuko Narushima SMH
Boomers talk themselves up on eve of grand final Caps clash, Grantley Bernard, Herald Sun

Canberra weather: 24, rain periods, BoM

International:
Currency speculators are betting heavily against the Pound, Carsten Volkery, Der Spiegel
Gay marriage is now legal in Washington DC, Ian Urbina NYT
Hollywood is a notoriously impregnable fortress but... Julian Sancton, Vanity Fair
Hurt Locker case: "Hollywood has made billions exploiting veterans", Ed Pilkington, Guardian
Iceland tops innovation index, NZ 9th, Australia not even top 10, Jacob P Koshy, livemint.com
Cultural renaissance of Japan's indigenous Ainu people, Lucy Birmingham WSJ

THURSDAY

At last, Rudd has a good day! Dennis Atkins, Courier Mail
Labor health reform package: "The hospital on the hill", Peter Hartcher SMH
The magic is in the funding-for-service mechanism, Sue Dunlevy, Telegraph
How it works, Ben Packham, Herald Sun 
The "funded nationally & run locally" plan, Grant McArthur, Herald Sun
If it succeeds, Rudd will have recast fed-state relations... Michelle Grattan, Age
And "set off a bomb in the health system", Paul Colgan, The Punch
It's not exactly clear how changes will help patients... Natasha Wallace SMH
Or how it'll be paid for & whether it'll end the blame game, Lenore Taylor SMH
Nevertheless, Rudd has bet the house on hospital reform... Malcolm Farr, Telegraph 
And says you'll get the same level of care wherever you live, Renee Viellaris, Courier Mail
PM sets up a health election campaign, Matthew Franklin & Sid Maher, Australian
"This is big, bold Rudd", Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun 
Rudd has staked his political life on this package, Andrew Probyn, West Australian 
It's got a lot going for it, Mark Kenny et al, Advertiser 
Election-oriented, process-driven big bang health reform, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
"A good beginning", Stephen Leeder SMH
Victoria doesn't like it, Misha Schubert & Nick Miller, Age
In fact, Brumby may veto it, Phillip Hudson & Ben Packham, Herald Sun
WA doesn't like it either, Paige Taylor & Sid Maher, Australian  
NSW says it'll kill off small hospitals, Simon Benson & Sue Dunlevy, Telegraph
Rudd will call referendum if states don't go along with it, AAP/NT News
Looks good at first blush but big questions remain, Adam Cresswell, Australian
To make this work, "Rudd has to remake the GST", George Megalogenis, Australian
Pic warning I: Witchetty grub poised to plunge down Abbott's gaping cake hole, Mark Davis SMH
Pic warning II: Abbott looking militia-ish against fetching desert backdrop, Mark Davis, Age
Abbott steadily rebuilds the coalition's position, Peter van Onselen, Australian 
WA lobbies Abbott to keep more of its gas & oil royalties, Andrew Burrell, Australian
Abbott & Howard both "fit, wiry men with enormous...self-belief", Miranda Devine SMH
Labor mucking NT about on Muckaty Station nuke dump, Barry Doyle, NT News
Thank god Ferguson is awake, Gary Johns, Australian
Wal King: Senate should cut a deal on building watchdog, Ewin Hannan, Australian
Labor's batt plan made insulation installation safer, John Watson, Age
Garrett "just another joke-politician...Faulkner must be shattered", Mark Latham AFR
MP log of claims: They want severance pay if they lose their seat, Emma Chalmers, Courier Mail
Nat accounts "a beautiful set of numbers", Terry McCrann, Herald Sun
Swan: Private sector demand is starting to pick up, David Uren, Australian
"Go you good thing Glenn Stevens", David Southwell, The Punch
Glitches galore in Labor's computers-for-every-kid plan, Natasha Bita, Australian
Gillard: Transperancy creates "good pressure" in education, Dan Harrison, Age 
About the national curriculum, Justine Ferrari, Australian
Oh, oh... New nat curriculum could allow creationism into science class, Anna Patty SMH
Nat curriculum exercise way too prone to public opinion, Maralyn Parker, Telegraph
Nor will it improve Australia's poor maths culture, Burkard Polster & Marty Ross, Age
Emo sees his job as protecting consumers, not sectional interests, John Durie, Australian
Doesn't look like Fielding will vote for NBN bill, Ari Sharp, Age
ASIC asked to help defrost unlisted retail property trusts, Florence Chong, Australian
James Hansen backs a carbon tax, Adam Morton, Age 
Climate experts say Greg Hunt is cherrypicking US ETS comments, Adam Morton, Age
Australia-US FTA has proved a dud, Rodney Tiffen SMH  
We have twice the generals per thousand grunts compared to US Army, Ian McPhedran, Telegraph
We've annoyed Japan with nothing to show for it, Greg Sheridan, Australian
Aussie cops flash their badges in Tel Aviv over Dubai hit, Jason Koutsoukis SMH
AFP Israel probe is just for show, John Lyons, Australian
Fake passport affair delays Parl House Israeli film night, Daniel Flitton, Age
Pires acquitted on Ramos Horta charge, Matt Cunningham, NT News
Smith soothes Indian fears, Cathy Alexander, Age
Political tensions with India could be easing, Matt Wade SMH
Brumby may fall victim to promising too much, Paul Austin, Age
Mike Rann apologises to Michelle Chantelois during election debate, Daniel Wills, Advertiser
Hoyts for sale, again, Michael Evans SMH
Barangaroo: Nearly all of it breaches height limits, Matthew Moore SMH
Strong field graces ANZ Ladies Masters on its 21st birthday, Mike Wood, Australian
In which I champion IQ Pride, Elizabeth Farrelly SMH
Sitting down is incredibly bad for you, Lissa Christopher SMH
George Michael blitzes Melbourne (esp for PK), Cameron Adams, Herald Sun

Canberra weather: 27, fine, partly cloudy, BoM

International:
Hamas: Dubai hit was probably by Jordan or Egypt, not Israel, Reuters/Ha'aretz
New IAEA chief signals days of Iran love-in may be over, James Blitz FT
Khaki up - it's militainment time, PW Singer, Foreign Policy
"Hitler's Third Reich produced no great films", Ian Buruma NYRB
Cutting bureaucracy key to lifting school performance, China Daily
"Spencer Tunick: The shock of the nude", Jonathan Jones, Guardian

WEDNESDAY

Sydney westies scuttle an early election, Simon Benson, Daily Telegraph
AFP investigates insulation scheme fraud claims, Renee Viellaris, Courier-Mail
"Labor to axe drought relief", Matthew Franklin, Australian
PM makes govt sound like it cannot cope, Paul Kelly, Australian
PM deserves credit for avoiding recession, Ross Gittins SMH
And credit for an apology that might actually be genuine, Shaun Carney, Age
Greg Combet is Rudd's stalking horse, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
Gillard's turn to wear the hairshirt yesterday, Matthew Franklin, Australian
You can't run a hospital if you can't install insulation, Peter Costello SMH
Health package today will include e-health, Stefanie Balogh & Renee Viellaris, Courier-Mail
PM to states on health: it's all or nothing, Phillip Coorey & Mark Metherell SMH
Victoria says no, Ben Packham & Stephen McMahon, Herald Sun
Although $1 billion might change Vic minds, Nick Miller & Misha Schubert, Age
A stoush with states could help PM look tough, Matthew Franklin, Australian
Just tell us how to make health better, Martin Laverty, Australian
US climate policy is going Abbott's way, Sid Maher, Australian
Obama & Rudd won't have much to talk about, Peter Van Onselen, Australian
Chief climate scientist contradicts Wong on Murray Darling, Peter Hunt, Weekly Times
Good news! Rates are rising, Terry McCrann, Herald Sun
RBA decides the slowdown is over, David Uren, Australian
Banks are behaving, Peter Martin, Age
Borrowing? Factor in three more rate rises by Xmas, Michael Stutchbury, Australian
Now Labor must keep indebted householders on side, Peter Van Onselen, Australian
Economy is good. No need to whinge, Tim Colebatch, Age
Abbott wants native title power with families, not land councils, Mark Davis SMH
Gillard to announce My Uni website for 2012, Andrew Trounson, Australian
My Uni may include graduates' job success, Andrew Trounson, Australian
Gillard weathers the whackiest of interviews, Dennis Atkins, Courier-Mail
At last, history is a Big Four subject, Greg Melleuish, Australian
Christian schools prepare to defend creationism teaching, Malcolm Brown SMH
Kim Carr accused of abusing scientific peer reviews, Bernard Lane, Australian
Garrett's Coral Sea declaration under fire, Peter Michael, Courier-Mail
Telstra accuses Conroy of crafting a rival retailer, Colin Kruger SMH
Lose-lose strategy about to come true for Telstra, Jennifer Hewett, Australian
Brunswick to trial rival broadband, Colin Kruger, Age
Wool body loses its third boss in four years, Debra Jopson SMH
SA Labor misses its own turning point, Michael Owen, Australian
SA Libs would lift payroll tax threshold, Pia Akerman, Australian
Tasmania may get its own School of Rock under Labor, Matthew Denholm, Australian
Tas Greens are making plans for power, Sue Neales, Mercury
No Qld party meets Tony Fitzgerald's approval, Natasha Bita, Australian
Rees' trees to get the axe, Brian Robins SMH
NSW Govt can't even ask for money, Rhys Haynes, Daily Telegraph
Of course the ABC should compete for audiences, Mark Scott, The Drum/ABC Online
John Howard gets his dream job, Peter Kogoy & Amanda Hodge, Australian
Howard may heal a fractured game, Peter Roebuck, Age
And Howard thinks Lara is a "very nice" lady, Aaron Langmaid, Daily Telegraph
It took a Woman's Day to publish "offensive" Bingle photo, Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun
Our Indian dream team: Shane Warne & Stephen Smith... Matt Wade & Sarah-Jane Collins, Age
Not enough as this Indian team cancels tour, Yuko Narushima, Age
Katherine Hull: "I bought a house & fired a caddy", West Australian
Hull takes it up to Karrie Webb, Mike Wood, Australian

Canberra weather: 26, fine mostly sunny, BoM

International:
"Indonesia is the laggard" in race to ASEAN goals, Jakarta Post
How a bunch of elephants outraged the ANC, Mail & Guardian
New Zealand raises legal driving age - to 16, Michael Dickison, NZ Herald
Banksy on film: this is really taking risks, Mark Hudson, Telegraph
For Oscar, war is hell, Patrick Goldstein, LA Times

TUESDAY

Newspoll: Labor leads 2PP 52-48%, Abbott makes gains, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
Rudd should call an early election, Paul Williams, Courier Mail
Don't apologise: stop spending already! Michael Stutchbury, Australian
Rudd has his (Reserve) bank manager's backing, David Uren, Australian
RBA should start lifting rates today, Henry Thornton, Australian
Rate rise will cost one punter $30K, Peter Martin SMH
Balance of payments deficit is the elephant in the room, Michael Stutchbury, Australian
Tax reform will be the next headache for PM, Jennifer Hewett, Australian
But Greece reckons we can show the way, Peter Hartcher SMH
Garrett: I have never offered to resign, ABC Online
Chris Pyne concedes Garrett is no wuss, Michelle Grattan, Age
Abbott defends Jenny Macklin as a decent person, Tom Dusevic, Australian
But humpies leave Abbott grasping for words, Mark Davis SMH
"Abbott could teach us Brits a lesson", Melanie Phillips, Daily Mail/Australian
Beware of the Doctor No tag, Lenore Taylor SMH
National security the wrong target for Coalition, Gerard Henderson SMH
Union boss: govt has lowered our safety net, Ewin Hannan, Australian
ACTU will campaign on gender pay equity, Ben Schneiders SMH
Forshaw steps aside for Thistlethwaite - tough for Wedderburn, Imre Salusinszky, Australian
Mixed reports but Neal not looking good in Robertson, Phillip Coorey SMH
Asia, indigenous Australia & environment underpin nat curriculum, Justine Ferrari, Australian
But no mention of Westminster, Dan Harrison et al SMH
Scientists need to fight for their corner in schools, David Penberthy, Punch
Gillard gets back to basics, 7.30 Report/ABC Online
Curriculum grants all power to Gillard, Anna Patty SMH
Curriculum puts Gillard at front of the class, Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun
Gillard could give her boss some clear speaking lessons, Dennis Atkins, Courier-Mail
Coalition re-opens the history wars, Lateline/ABC Online
A headmaster's view: average, could do better, Tim Hawkes SMH
Teachers will need to be taught first, Sue Dunlevy & Bruce McDougall, Daily Telegraph
Not much to excite 21C students, Libby Tudball SMH
A good summary of a sound beginning, Farrah Tomazin & Miki Perkins, Age
Another good user's guide, Emma Chalmers & Tanya Chilcott, Courier-Mail
Pre-schoolers read & write? Give them a (play) break! Bethany Hiatt & Andrew Tillett, West Australian
Don't turn your back on the Union Jack, Susie O'Brien, Herald Sun
PM wants to talk health reform this week, Matthew Franklin, Australian
States set to be liposuctioned out of health funding, Sue Dunlevy, Daily Telegraph
States will have only weeks to consider PM's health offer, Phillip Coorey & Mark Metherell SMH
Health funding will be case-based, Misha Schubert & Mark Metherell, Age
"Good move, bitter medicine", Sue Dunlevy, Daily Telegraph
Hairshirt suits you, PM, but not the rest of us, Phillip Coorey SMH
Sorry is the path to success, claims Peter Beattie, Michael McKenna & Lauren Wilson, Australian
But PM's apology had little impact either way, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
Rudd's apology was Fawlty-esque, Niki Savva, Australian
Vic Premier Brumby: I'm sorry too, Lauren Wilson, Australian
"I'm ordinary: vote for me", David Rood, Age
Brown coal to keep burning in Victoria for decades, Royce Millar et al, Age
"Flexibility is key" to managing the new boom, Martin Ferguson, Australian
We should hang onto our resources, Tim Colebatch, Age
Asylum seekers sleeping in tents on Christmas Island, Paul Maley & Joe Kelly, Australian
Next stop may be Darwin, Yuko Narushima SMH
A-G's department to wind back outsourcing, Sean Parnell, Australian
AFP will travel to Israel in dodgy passport pursuit, John Lyons & Mark Dodd, Australian
Farmers wonder where the promised Pacific workers went, Rowan Callick, Australian
Medicare workers are busy snooping, Karen Dearne, Australian
No shades of grey in death penalty debate, George Williams SMH
No target for Tas broadband take-up, Matthew Denholm, Australian
Nick Xenophon barges into SA poll, Michael Owen & Gavin Lower, Australian
NSW Libs can't stop fiddling with themselves, Imre Salusinszky, Australian
PM writes books but does he read them? Stephen Romei, Punch
Dorrigo is the place for that fresh newsprint smell...mmmm, John Huxley SMH
Lara Bingle to sue slimeball, Fiona Byrne, Herald Sun
Early birds flash the worms, Matthew Denholm, Australian

Canberra weather: 23, becoming sunny, BoM

International:
Time is up for ex-Thai PM Thaksin, Surasak Glahan, Bangkok Post
Britain's academy schools may not all work, but at least they tried, Lisa Freedman, Prospect
Two huge earthquakes, but just a coincidence, Fred Tasker, Miami Herald
New Kennedy generation looks for "other ways to serve", Ewen MacAskill, Guardian
Is a fair trial even possible in the Internet age? Adam Liptak NYT

MONDAY

Wayne gets "Swan-nee" chant at Brisvegas AC/DC show, Courier Mail
Kevin's contrition gamble, Michelle Grattan, Age
"Rudd's mea culpa was obviously poll-driven", Dennis Atkins, Courier Mail
"A pantomime of accepting responsibility", David Burchell, Australian
PM says govt isn't "up to the mark", Emma Chalmers, Courier Mail
"PM bares himself for a flogging & may get it", Michelle Grattan, Age
Rudd alarms ministers with his hair shirt breakout, Phillip Coorey SMH 
"Rudd risks over-egging the routine", Phillip Coorey SMH
Rudd does Abbott's work for him, dissing govt's own rep, Sue Dunlevy, Telegraph 
PM & crew "under increasing pressure from the Abbott Opposition", Malcolm Farr, Telegraph
Rudd admits his problem is bigger than batts, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
Kevin in confessional show that'd make Catholic cardinal's toes curl, Glenn Milne, Australian
Ray Hadley was right about Rudd, Michael Bodey, Australian
ALP branches now have to ask Kevin nicely if they want a state conference! Simon Benson, Telegraph
Rudd dampens health reform expectations, George Megalogenis & Sid Maher, Australian
We know what we stand for, Tony Abbott, Australian
Libertarians - silent & embarrassed by batt farce, Ross Gittins SMH
Insulators want govt to buy their inventory, Stuart Rintoul, Australian
Govt policy reversal will now see wind power fly, Rick Wallace, Australian
AFP warns govt organised crime may target ETS, Renee Viellaris, Courier Mail
Outsourcing has knackered A-Gs, Sean Parnell, Australian
Media diary, Amanda Meade, Australian
Stokes wants to up his bet in pay-TV, James Chessell, Australian
"ABC's role needs to be redefined", Mark Day, Australian
Govt should redefine student housing as low income to solve crisis, Heath Gilmore SMH
Uni students: "It is basically impossible to find accomodation", Heath Gilmore SMH
Bored, poorly trained staff are killing history teaching, Dan Harrison SMH
Labor to address resource-sector skill shortages, AFR
Resources boom will be bigger, longer & better than you think, Mark Rider, Australian
There's a lot of support for a human rights act, Philip Lynch, Age
If you actually want to get a human rights act up... Ian Lee, Age
Melbourne's property market "white hot", Marika Dobbin, Age  
"Lenders turn the screw on debt-burdened borrowers", Leonie Wood, Age
"Income management has been successful", Kevin Andrews, The Punch 
Feds to WA Govt on GST revenue cut: You asked for it, Shane Wright, West Australian
"Brumby has had a rough couple of months", Milanda Rout, Australian
Swing against Rann Labor in marginals may deliver hung parliament, Brad Crouch, Advertiser
Rann & Rudd: Partnered up (& even wearing matching shirts), Insiders, ABC-TV/YouTube
"If Adelaide is a bogun town, it's a high end bogun town", David Penberthy, The Punch
Families of dead Woomera babies join Maralinga class action, Bryan Littlely, Advertiser
Defence tries to flog missiles approaching their due-by date, Ian McPhedran, Advertiser
Passport fallout: "Australia abandons Israel in UN vote", Jonathan Pearlman & Jason Koutsoukis SMH
New ambo wants to insert US more into Asia-Pac forums, AFR
Smith to India for Commonwealth Games talks, AAP/Age
Yemen now prime travel target for our home grown jihadis, Sally Neighbour, Australian
Officials stealing peasants' land - it's getting worse & worse, John Garnaut SMH
CSIRO's "Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change", Debra Jopson SMH
"Kiwis...are a mostly placid, agreeable bunch", Ben Groundwater SMH
NSW Woman of the Year finalists, Jennie Curtin SMH
Germaine Greer, Marcia Langton to appear at "Wordstorm", Ben Langford, NT News
Major moshpit malfunction: AC/DC fan impaled through eyeball, Tuck Thompson, Courier Mail
Purim gets ABBAfied at the Great Synagogue this year, Nick Ralston SMH
Autumn at last. Thank god. Malcolm Holland, Telegraph
NGV breaks out some old mug shots, Gabriella Coslovich, Age 
Happy 200th birthday, Frederic Chopin, SMH
Crowds up, crime down at 2010 Mardi Gras, Amy Corderoy SMH
"George Michael partying too hard in Sydney to go-go", Telegraph
Mardi Gras (incl Dancing Osamas), Reuters/SMH 
Ruby Rose's latest conquest: Vogue Magazine, Telegraph
New iPhone app that could've saved Tiger, Australian 

Canberra weather: 22, cloudy periods, BoM

Best from the Weekend:
Rudd: Regrets, I have a few... Laurie Oakes, Herald Sun
"The semi-execution of Garrett", Michelle Grattan, Sun Herald
"Garrett is going nowhere except down the toilet", Glenn Milne, Sunday Telegraph
Barangaroo: What I'm on about, Paul Keating SMH 
My own cannoli recipe (see "The Godfather" for context), Guy Grossi, Herald Sun
"They're queer, they're here & we're all used to it", Claire Harvey, Sunday Telegraph

International:
Looking on the bright side of depression, Jonah Lehrer NYT
"As a branch of medicine, depression seems to be a mess", Gary Greenberg, New Yorker
Japan loves a sobber & the Toyota boss isn't disappointing, Yuki Kageyama, Japan Times
Indonesian diplomats poor English skills make them shrink from their duties, Jakarta Post
Premier Wen Jiabao's latest online chat with netizens, Xinhua/China Daily
Israelis rush to join Mossad after successful Dubai hit, Sheera Frenkel, Times