www.breakfastpolitics.com

FRIDAY

Super funds unite to lobby against Murdochs on News board, Tim Dick, Age
GFC punched $40 billion hole in budget last year, Michelle Grattan, Age
But Wayne Swan still believes in a 2012-13 surplus, Phillip Coorey SMH
At least the dollar is dropping below parity, David Uren, Australian
Wal King could get a $30 million severance package, Philip Wen SMH
NSW govt will try & get a real debate at next week's tax summit, Phillip Coorey SMH
ACTU will press for higher tax-free threshold, Ewin Hannan, Australian
Forum will be a cherry-picking gabfest, David Uren, Australian
Property is the best tax shelter & rort on earth, Jessica Irvine SMH
Carbon tax is Button-esque, Greg Combet, Australian
PM celebrates a happy half century, Tony Wright, Age
Gillard & Rudd spend the day with photo ops, erm, kids, Rosanne Barrett & Christian Barrett, Australian
Then Foreign Minister tackles world peace, Matthew Franklin, Australian
Ministers gift PM some kind words, Matthew Franklin, Australian
Galaxy Poll: Rudd as PM would win some voters, lose quite a few too, Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun
Change of leader would not shift vote for most though, Simon Benson, Daily Telegraph
"Qld will be Labor's deepest ever black hole", Graham Richardson, Courier-Mail
How the Scottish National Party made minority govt work, John Curtice, The Conversation
Greens have got too much from this govt, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
Abbott had to establish some sort of IR boundaries, Michelle Grattan, Age
Susan Mitchell's new profile of Abbott is unflattering, Katharine Murphy, Age
George Brandis: Bolt ruling shows Racial Discrimination Act has gone too far, Katharine Murphy, Age
"Section 18C ... has no place in a society that values freedom of expression", George Brandis, Australian
Nauseating, but there is a problem with RDA & free speech, Jonathan Holmes, The Drum/ABC Online
Geoff Clark offended by Andrew Bolt's "tone", not just a single piece, Stephen Drill, Herald Sun
Human Rights Commission: Curtin detention centre is "inhumane", Alana Buckley-Carr, West Australian
Migration drives Australia's population to 22.54 million, Lauren Wilson, Australian
Pokie reforms would not hurt AFL clubs, says research, Jason Dowling, Age
"Even Americans shun our addictive pokies", Colin Kruger SMH
Frontline females are a killer blow to feminism, Clive Hamilton, Age
ADF cost cuts silence military bands, Malcolm Brown SMH
Medicare tries to extract $20 million from dodgy dentists, Erik Jensen SMH
Brendan O'Connor has an open mind on privacy protections, Chris Merritt, Australian
Journalistic trespassing can be justified. Sometimes, Richard Ackland SMH
Carl Williams' killer convicted but case is not solved, Nick McKenzie & Richard Baker, Age
Daylight savings: Time to turn forward clocks & argue again, Josephine Tovey SMH
Qantas ground staff to strike this morning, AAP/SMH
Still some pricey tix available for AFL Grand Final tomorrow, Maris Beck & Mark Hawthorne, Age
Collingwood has some special (pink) supporters on its side, Samantha Lane, Age
"Tomorrow is a lose-lose for Collingwood", Andy Maher, Age
Go Cats! Gary Ablett (the younger), Herald Sun
Manly Sea Eagles tipped to win NRL Grand Final, Greg Prichard SMH
Eskimo Joe gives Fremantle's shocking song the heave-ho, Dale Miller, West Australian

Canberra weather: 15, possible afternoon shower, BoM

International:
Rupert Murdoch's iPad venture is struggling to find readers, Dominic Rushe, Guardian
He has the face for it: Mick Jagger to play Murdoch-esque mogul, Nadia Mendoza, Daily Mail
Thai Cabinet's rich list, Bangkok Post
DSK has brought some good to France: More women willing to speak out, Devorah Lauter, LA Times
Edinburgh's festivals must think creatively about seat sales, Joe Goldblatt, The Scotsman

THURSDAY

Happy (quintastic) Birthday, Julia! Jacqueline Maley SMH
I'll second that, Phillip Hudson, Telegraph
National Seniors Australia boss: The membership form's in the mail, AAP/West Australian
"Battle shifts from carbon to the economy", Lenore Taylor SMH
"Gillard eyes plan for Asian growth", Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun
Gillard gets Henry to head "Australia in the Asian Century" team, Phillip Coorey SMH
It'll be more blather & blah, Greg Sheridan, Australian
Raby: We need to expand our diplomatic footprint in China, Michael Sainsbury, Australian
How about addressing our ed spending, R&D and science spending deficits? Deborah Smith SMH
"Invest in science or else, warns Cory", Jill Rowbotham, Australian
"Science, maths & the future of Australia", Suzanne Cory, The Conversation
Four things to consider at the Tax Forum, Tony Nicholson, Age
And another one (wine tax). Catherine Hockley, Advertiser
And another (should rich women's nannies be subsidised?) Eva Cox, The Conversation
Mining states to need another 170,000 workers over next 5 years, Clancy Yeates SMH
BHP & Rio are about to go on a massive recruitment drive, Elizabeth Knight SMH
MP: Greenies' abuse of Indigenous resource workers is appalling, Tony Barrass & Paige Taylor, Australian
Greenies: It was a taxi driver named Kernot, not us, Alana Buckley-Carr, West Australian
CFMEU: Anti-carbon tax campaign by business losing traction, AAP/SMH
Abbott unmoved by Costello sledge on IR policy, Phillip Coorey SMH
DLP Senator: Costello has got a cheek telling Abbott what to do, Stuart Rintoul, Australian
"This parliament defies satire", Warwick McFadyen SMH
National mortgage delinquencies are at a 10 year high, Ben Butler SMH
APRA to get bank-level supervisory powers over super, Eric Johnston SMH
"Directors lose bid for legal protection", AFR
"US probe of News identifies 'gangster' tactics", Bloomberg/SMH
Stutch takes helm at AFR, Stephen Brook, Australian
Let's do a post-High Court decision, mandatory detention rethink, Sev Ozdowski, Australian
Latest asylum seekers phone it in to Christmas Island, Alison Rehn, Telegraph
Bolt found to have broken race laws, Michael Bodey, Australian
Bolt (learning nothing): "I am truly shocked." Karl Quinn, Age
"Slur victims hail victory", Karl Quinn SMH
It's lousy journalism, not freedom of speech, that's under attack, David Marr SMH
"Silencing me impedes unity", Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun
Judge Bromberg: The ruling does not affect free speech, Mark Dunn, Herald Sun
Even if you can't stand Bolt, you have to defend free speech, Bill Rowlings, The Punch
Tony should start drafting changes to the race discrimination act now, Gary Johns, Australian
"Three key criteria for determining Aboriginal identity", Geesche Jacobsen SMH
"I'm Kevin, I'm still from Queensland..." Kevin Rudd SMH
Alexander McCall Smith is onto something with his call for more civility, Paul Sheehan SMh
Man on CIA's "catch or kill" list arrested in Sydney, Dylan Welch SMH
Women on the front line a natural extension of ADF policy, Mark Dodd, Australian
My gold standard Old Fogey performance on women on the front line, Greg Sheridan, Australia
"Girls check in for genital mutilation", Miranda Devine, Telegraph
Roxon: Redcliffe GP superclinic problem is state govt's fault, Mark Solomons, Courier Mail
China has overtaken Britain as a tourism market for us, Julie Bishop SMH
O'Neill: The Kiwis are right about the World Cup business model being broken, Greg Crowden SMH
Vegetarianism as a moral stance - spare me. Elizabeth Farrelly SMH

Canberra weather: 14, rain easing, windy, BoM

International:
The Greeks have been defaulting on sovereign debt since the fourth century BC, Eric Fox, SFGate
Commentators fang Obama's Euro-crisis finger-wagging, Kristen Allen & David Gordon Smith, Der Spiegel
The Gay Guide to Glee: "I Am Unicorn". Brett Berk, Vanity Fair
MP's wife denies stealing his lover's cat, PA/Guardian
How do networks evaluate reality pitches? Peter Hamilton, DocumentaryTelevision.com
"Pick fruit to make jam, jelly & gin", Francine Raymond, Telegraph

WEDNESDAY

Smith gives ADF women the right to fight, Dan Oakes, Age
"Women Diggers to go into battle", Patrick Lion & Alison Rehn, Telegraph
Women can even join the SAS. Excellent! Max Blenkin, AAP/West Australian
Natalie Sambhi can't wait to be on the front line, Dylan Welsh SMH
Jo Chee wants to be a sub captain, Nick Butterly & Gabrielle Knowles, West Australian
8 myths about women on the front line, Tory Shepherd, The Punch
Smith PM? (Actually, he's a Gillard man.) Simon Benson, Telegraph
Moira Gillard: "Just trust her. She's a hard worker." Jill Pengelley & Michael Harvey, Herald Sun
Rudd's pitch: Lose Wilkie, gain Katter, Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun
Here's incontrovertible (linguistic) proof Rudd is stalking Gillard, Imre Salusinszky, Australian
Howard & Beazley look good by comparison now, Cassandra Wilkinson, Australian
Crean: "There is no challenge, there is no vacancy." AAP/Courier Mail
First Pet: New cavoodle is actually going to be a Bulldog, Kelly Ryan, Herald Sun
Euromoney, "you don't know how hard it is to be an Australian", Geoff Lemon, The Punch
ADFA deputy thinks academy will come up trumps in inquiry, Dan Oakes SMH
Subtle discrimination keeps the glass ceiling in place, Ruth Williams, Age
Hail, Queen Lear (Robin Nevin), Matthew Westwood, Australian
Elizabeth II - good at the cut & thrust, including in her marriage, Karen Kissane SMH
Saudi women still have an awful long way to go in rights fight, Claire Spencer SMH
Facebook starts funding political candidates, Michael Shear & Jennifer Preston SMH
"Abbott & Oakeshott eat & make up", Smanathan Townsend, Telegraph
Costello accuses Abbott of being DLP. Ouch! Phillip Coorey SMH
The DLP was good at defence & the Cold War but rubbish at economics, Peter Costello SMH
Costello sledge gets Abbott where it hurts: IR, Katharine Murphy, Age
Yeah, Tony, stop being such a workplace relations weenie, Janet Albrechtsen, Australian
Greens want Labor to tax gold, Lenore Taylor SMH
Westpac, Origin Energy, want change in carbon credit floor price, Marcus Priest AFR
Wine tax changes sought by health alliance, Mark Metherell SMH
Push on in Qld for pubs & clubs to close at 2am, Alison Sandy & Rob Kidd, Courier Mail
AiG wants GST action at the Tax Summit, Michelle Grattan, Age
Constitutional limit of Germany's ability to bail out Europe reached, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard SMH
Nevertheless markets rallied yesterday on belief a fix is near, Malcolm Maiden SMH
"Defend or default?" Remy Davison, The Conversation
Spain the only OECD country with a more casualised workforce than Australia, Amy Corderoy SMH
Emotional scenes as Customs, Border Protection staff walk out, AAP/SMH
UN urges us to do better on refugees... Kirsty Needham, Age
And this Archives document from an earlier time shows how, Judith Pugh, Age
"Toxic coconut" slur makes Indigenous MP quit politics, Paige Taylor, Australian
Anti-BDS candidate blames Greens for being in court, Imre Salusinszky, Australian
"SA chosen as corridor to transport nuclear waste", Catherine Hockley, Advertiser
Gillard acknowledges kitchen table pain, Phillip Coorey SMH
The role of "confidence" in the economy, Ross Gittins SMH
At Home With Julia wasn't that bad, Giles Hardie SMH
Car crashes into HSU boss' parked car overnight, Kate McClymont SMH
Cathy King has four health reports on her desk. What's she doing with them? Ken Harvey, Age
Clubs lobby says cited study is based on flawed trial, Phillip Coorey SMH
"The invisible victims of pokies laws", Peter Holmes, Telegraph
Vic Libs have got some interesting politics/property dvlpt things happening, Royce Millar, Age
Newspoll: Bligh should've had that early election, Michael McKenna, Australian
Farmers: Woles underpays us for our goods, Alexandra Smith SMH
Michael Knight has done a good job for Gillard Govt on higher ed exports, Paul Kelly, Australian
NHMRC grants are a lottery & the process is a joke, Julie Hare, Australian
Optus: Telstra split won't end monopoly, Annabel Hepworth & Mitchell Bingemann, Australian
Concern about baby Indon terror cells, Tom Allard, Age
Damien Hirst loves a dollar, Telegraph/SMH
David Williamson had a good experience with Face to Face, Advertiser
What can be done to mend hearts broken by adoption, Martin Laverty SMH
Racism & sexism offences should exclude players from Brownlow contention, Caroline Wilson, Age
That would knock Channel 7 out of Brownlow contention then, Rebekah Devlin, Advertiser
Michael Kirby: Gay marriage is just around the corner, AAP/Telegraph
Redesigning art museums for the contemporary world, Gary Sangster & Gay McDonald, The Conversation
"Are sugar cravings a sign you're sick?" Louise Atkinson, Body + Soul
My Holiday, Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun

Canberra weather: 19, rain at times, BoM

International:
World economy: "Everyone is scared... Nobody has a plan." David Bosco, Foreign Policy
What makes a good school principal? Michael Winerip NYT
"Caffeine's buzz chases away women's depression", Melissa Healy, LA Times
Conrad Black on life in the slammer, Bryan Burrough, Vanity Fair
Artist Kristin Gunnlaugdottir: "The 2008 crisis was very invigorating", Asta Andresdottir, Iceland Review
"Something has gone wrong in the space industry", Alexandra Odynova, Moscow Times

TUESDAY

(Wayne) Swan gets Euromoney gong, warns about Europe, David Uren & Brad Norington, Australian
(Dane) Swan gets Brownlow, says: "Clearly being the favourite does not help", Courtney Walsh, Australian
"Hockey needs more than Google for his economic research", Eric Ellis, Age
New business tax break to be announced next week, Louise Dodson & Laura Tingle AFR
Revenue from non-resource sector is falling, making surplus a big ask, Laura Tingle AFR
The $A is showing extraordinary resilience, Ian Verrender SMH
Wong to tell tax summit: Taxes are simply going to have to rise, Peter Martin SMH
Ex-Google exec to Obama: "Mr President, would you please raise my taxes", AFP/Age
On the PBO dust-up back home, Michael Stutchbury, Australian
Latest Eurozone deal nebulous to say the least, Jennifer Hewett, Australian
Life after the mining boom? Eric Knight SMH
Hallo! As threat worsens, Defence is becoming ever more dysfunctional! Hugh White, Age
Newspoll: Gillard's advantage with women voters has evaporated, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
The regions have turned off, too, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
Brown to ALP: Stick with Gillard, Matthew Franklin & Brad Norington, Australian
Never underestimate the self-preservation instinct of backbenchers, Niki Savva, Australian
"Newspoll & voter volatility", Peter Brent, Australian
What chance of a spoodle-led political recovery? Nick Leys, Australian
AFL slams NRL, Clubs Australia's "appalling" campaign, Matt Johnston & Jessica Craven, Herald Sun
Demetriou gives Gillard a hand, Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun
"The depressing truth about football's gambling addiction", David Penberthy, The Punch
A-G McClelland wobbles on pokies reform, Phillip Coorey SMH
I like Eddie but he's got a bit of explaining to do on his "footy tax" line, Tim Costello, Age
This ex-pokies addict thinks the reforms are good, Malcolm Brown SMH
TWU, Customs & Border Protection strikes hit footy final travel plans, Andrea Hayward, AAP/Courier Mail
"Anxiety, lack of trust rising", Daniel Flitton, Age
Research suggests current style of politics undermines social cohesion... AAP, Australian
The way the asylum seeker debate has been conducted, for example, Andrew Markus, Australian
AMA: Mandatory detention is a form of child abuse, Kirsty Needham SMH
If we're becoming distrustful & gloomy, you know who to blame, David Marr SMH
More on the Scanlon Foundation survey, David Marr SMH
Playing the "Gloom Card" - god it's boring, Tony Featherstone, Age
ACA: Carbon tax compo would just delay mine closures, Lenore Taylor SMH
BCA: Lower carbon price when trading starts could hurt budget, Michelle Grattan, Age
Downgraded MDBA plan a risk to Murray in SA, Sarah Martin, Advertiser
COAG is responsible for failure of indigenous policies, Helen Hughes, Australian
"Race vote should offer protection all round", George Williams SMH
CPSU's Thomson: ABC should not have made Crownies, At Home With Julia, Amanda Meade, Australian
That's bad program decision-making, not down to external producers perhaps, Tim Dick SMH
At Home With Julia fails to win a second term, Colin Vickery, Herald Sun
On parliamentary pairs, Craig Mark, The Conversation
Five public servants to get big one-off pay rise, Dennis Shanahan, Australian
What practical lessons for regulators are there in the UBS scandal? Milind Sathye, The Conversation
Target to cut 5% from suppliers' prices for 3 months & may not pass on savings, Blair Speedy, Australian
Della's ex- feared that Belinda would stab her, Louise Hall SMH
Things are coming to a head at HSU, Ean Higgins, Australian
$20m Redcliffe GP superclinic hits the wall, Tuck Thompson, Courier Mail
Rationing of certain pencillin stocks begins in NSW hospitals, Julia Medew SMH
There's a clamydia epidemic amongst young people, Mark Metherell SMH
Clap rise in gay men could portend higher HIV rates, Mark Metherell, Age
Murder accused want Thai trial, citing Australian racism, Jim Pollard & Anthony Dowsley, Herald Sun
"Putin takes up where he never left off", Peter Hartcher SMH
"Cautious hope for the world's newest nation", Michael Danby, The Punch
Australia has always run its own race on Israel, Gerard Henderson SMH
French left has a good day, AFP/ Australian
Carla Bruni: Sarko's extensive knowledge of flower names in Latin bowled me over, AFP/SMH
Gaddafi on the loose is a terrorist threat, AFP/SMH
Those North Korean nukes are a worry, Kevin Rudd, Telegraph
Shakespeare at its bloodiest, John Bell, Australian
The Jezabels have DIY chart victory, Cameron Adams, Herald Sun
On Italian coffee, Mary O'Brien, Age
Death of Carl Wood, Jared Owens, Australian

Canberra weather: 21, partly cloudy, BoM

International:
Sing lullabies to your little ones if you want them to grow up happy, Graeme Paton, Telegraph
19 yo student runs 30km daily to school & back to save fare, China Daily
"Europe: a plan for disintegration", Jan Zielonka, Le Monde Diplomatique
People, there's a glut of standalone documentaries, Peter Hamilton, DocumentaryTelevision.com
Dyan Cannon & Noel Coward declared love for Cary Grant at the same dinner, Kara Cutruzzula, Daily Beast
MoMA de Kooning retrospective suggests his talent collapsed in midde age, Ariella Budick, Slate

MONDAY

Coalition is planning for poll with Kevin Rudd as PM, Simon Benson, Daily Telegraph
Both sides of politics should question whether they really want Rudd back, Katharine Murphy, Age
Everyone is jumping at shadows, Simon Benson, Daily Telegraph
Julia Gillard did not betray Rudd PM, Barry Cohen, Australian
Tony Abbott roasted by his own on IR promise, Simon Benson, Daily Telegraph
NBN will not create even half the jobs forecast by govt, Lucy Battersby, Age
Greece seems likely to default within days, Nick Butterly & Shane Wright, West Australian
Our pollies have to come up with a real survival plan, Shane Wright, West Australian
Treasurer Swan hopes for the best, fears the worst, Jennifer Hewett, Australian
Abbott's plan: Our economy is no magic pudding, Tony Abbott, Australian
To boost productivity, treat staff like people, Ross Gittins, Age
Asia & Australia are not immune to world slowdown, David Uren, Australian
Sharemarket will fall further this morning, Ben Butler & Peter Martin SMH
But so should the price of bananas, AAP/Age
Good news for growers & toddlers, Jamie Walker, Australian
PM is haunted by Christmas Island boat tragedy, Matt Johnston, Herald Sun
"This is not a time for Mr Abbott to ... press his well-worn 'no' button", Julia Gillard, Herald Sun
Strange times. Immigration Minister confident his own party will back his bill, Nick Butterly, West Australian
WA Nat Tony Crook will feel heat on asylum bill, Michelle Grattan, Age
NSW Nat Andrew Stoner denies federal move, and yet ..., Josephine Tovey SMH
Emboldened by success, Left is speaking louder again, Phillip Coorey SMH
Labor Left campaign for reform has gone live on the web, Michelle Grattan, Age
AFL, NRL clubs join fight against poker machine bill, Mark Metherell, Age
Clubs will run anti-govt campaign in Grand Final week, Sid Maher & Rowan Callick, Australian
Footy clubs have powerful commentators on their side, Phillip Coorey SMH
Jeff Kennett, Eddie McGuire have their two cents worth, Rowan Callick, Australian
A fight with footy clubs is the last thing PM needs, Michelle Grattan, Age
Parly privilege: Nick Xenophon regrets, Sarah Malik & Tom Bowden, Advertiser
Simon Crean talks sense on foreign investment, Milanda Rout, Australian
Wine companies say tax system is creating a glut, Mark Metherell SMH
"Lies, deception & carbon tax", Henry Ergas, Australian
Vic Premier tries to get a cuddle in China & not with a panda, Josh Gordon, Age
Philip Nitschke allowed to import euthanasia drug as sleep aid, Greg Kelton, Advertiser
Would you like vitamins with that? Chemists do a dodgy deal, Julia Medew, Age
Breast-cancer patients could be handed over to GP earlier, Julie Robotham SMH
I'm a boomer. Sorry about that, Paul Sheehan SMH
Former DFAT head: Gareth Evans is in my Top Two Ministers list, Philip Flood, Australian
ACT plastic bag ban won't bin the bags, Megan Doherty, Canberra Times
Swooping magpies could have their wings clipped, Brian Williams, Courier-Mail
Brownlow Medal count tonight, Aaron Langmaid, Herald Sun
Larry Pickering thinks Gillard is positively Menzian, Mark Day, Australian
Project Darwin has no link to phone hacking, Mark Day, Australian
Media diary, Nick Leys, Australian
Newspapers have rival reader measurement almost ready, Sally Jackson, Australian
Art Gallery of NSW accused of sidelining indigenous art, Joyce Morgan SMH
Cycling administrators are in the dark ages on women, Rupert Guinness SMH
But Saudi women finally get a (limited) vote, ABC Online

Canberra weather: 18, mostly sunny, BoM

Best from the Weekend:
"Unhappy campers", Laurie Oakes, Herald Sun
The Opposition was truly pathetic over Wayne's well deserved econ-gong, Paul Howes, Sunday Herald Sun
People smuggling - the numbers, Dennis Atkins, Courier Mail
A straightforward guide to what the hell is happening in Europe, Jennifer Hewett, Australian
Our Sam Stosur on the regular things that help make her great, Liz Graham, Body+Soul
A history of my heart, Michael Kirby, Australian

International:
Helen Mirren: "I was always an instinctive feminist", Tim Adams, Guardian
"What does it mean to be Keynesian?" Nicholas Wapshott, WashPost/Japan Times
Rogue culture, not rogue trader, at UBS, James B Stewart NYT
Radiation found in Japanese rice, Yoshio Takahashi WSJ
Germany struggles with the return of the wolf, Rafaela von Bredow, Der Spiegel
Best-selling Indonesian book finds wider market, Jakarta Post