www.breakfastpolitics.com

FRIDAY

Gillard & her govt look a bit better this week, Michelle Grattan, Age
Obama sure was glad to see her at the G20, AAP/SMH
Swan lacerates little miner claim of $20bn Fortescue boss Twiggy Forrest, Katharine Murphy, Age
Forrest to fund High Court MRRT challenge, Shane Wright & Gareth Parker, West Australian
Rudd saunters begin to look like a circus, Jaqueline Maley SMH
It's Rudd, not we reporters, stoking the leadership story, Simon Benson & Steve Lewis, Telegraph
Come November, fantasy & reality blur in Parliament House, Laura Tingle AFR
Gillard rebuffed Rudd bid to run dead on UN Palestine vote, Daniel Flitton, Age
Rudd finally, reluctantly, backs pokies reform - on paper, Phillip Coorey SMH
"Pokie palaces are sucking the life out of communities", Malcolm Farr, The Punch
Last ditch bid for amendments to carbon tax bill unlikely to work, Lenore Taylor SMH
Papandreou drops referendrum proposal on euro deal, AFP/Age
Papandreou tells Greek parliament referendum is off, Ben Woodhead AFR
Soros says the deal won't work anyway, Ian Verrender SMH
Alan Joyce Senate committee roast is on today, Herald Sun
I'm a Joyce fan, Jeff Kennett, Herald Sun
Some political background on the IR turmoil, Mark Kenny, Advertiser
Business is global. Unions should be too. Piergiorgio Moro, Age
ADF military aide flouts security protocal & has thumb drive full of secrets stolen, Dylan Welch, Age
Lib senator under pressure over stupid Nazi youth sledge, Richard Willingham, Age
For a whole range of reasons, women can't (& shouldn't) drop out of workforce, Michelle Griffin, Age
Report: 74% female & 30% male ADFA cadets sexually harrassed, Dan Oakes & Deborah Snow, Age
Real questions arise about whether breastscreening is a net plus, Julia Medew, Age
Roxon should be nice to PETs, Lucy Beaumont, Age
"The tricks companies use to get over priced drugs on the PBS", Thomas Faunce, The Conversation
On the Assange appeal, Richard Ackland SMH
Phone hacking scandal set Murdochs against each other behind the scenes, AFP/Age
"Delays hit Murray rescue", Catherine Hockley, Advertiser
Killer Asian bee found in Cairns could smash our agriculture, SMH
Design & engineering of next gen Commodore may head offshore, Barry Park & Stephen Ottley, Age
Princess Mary helps Kate Middleton through first press conference since marriage, AAP/Mercury
Wen Jiabao comments about his family's persecution under Mao significant, Malcolm Moore, Age
Muslim convert trashes dead diggers on Facebook page, Shannon Deery, Telegraph
"Murders no one wants to talk about", Cynthia Banham, Age
"Is life on earth due to a quirk in the laws of physics?" John K Webb, The Conversation
"So you want to be famous? Here's how." Jo Thornely, The Punch

Canberra weather: 24, cloud clearing, BoM

International:
Papandreaou looks cactus, Alkman Granitsas & Terence Roth WSJ
Occupy Wall Street should occupy the Education Department next, Nat Hentoff, Village Voice
"YouTube gathers the game-changers", Peter Hamilton, DocumentaryTelevision.com
"Climate scientist wins a round for America", Shawn Lawrence Otto, Huffington Post
Listen up. Hélène Grimaud, radical pianist. You're going to want to know about her. DT Max, New Yorker
"Fourth Moscow Biennale shows fewer political works", Sophia Kishkovsky, Art Newspaper

THURSDAY

Swan loses voice but keeps talking over mining tax, Katharine Murphy, Age
Treasurer: More Tootsie than Mae, Judith Ireland, Canberra Times
Independent MPs spell out their demands on mining tax, Phillip Coorey & Clancy Yeates SMH
Senate to vote on carbon tax next Tuesday, AAP/SMH
PM has arrived in Cannes for G20, Lateline/ABC Online
Gillard has given up on Doha, AAP/AFR
Rudd being urged to challenge "later this month", Simon Benson & Steve Lewis, Herald Sun
Smith is Labor's last potential leader standing, Mark Latham AFR
Rudd has the support of gaming sector, Andrew Clennell, Daily Telegraph
"Gillard should encourage Rudd to sing some more", Miranda Devine, Herald Sun
Unions eye off the Qantas sale act, but not to encourage sales, Lenore Taylor SMH
Alan Joyce not the only Irish cost-cutter in aviation, Shane Green, Age
Cost cuts? ACCC could force Qantas compo sky high, Ben Butler, Age
Flying Kangaroo is dented but not destroyed, Neil Shoebridge AFR
Why do big companies trash their own brand? Terry McCrann, Herald Sun
After all those ads, NAB fails to pass on full rate cut, Elizabeth Knight & Eric Johnston SMH
So much for NAB's break-up with the other banks, Elizabeth Knight, Age
Pro-business & pro-worker: This govt reckons it can be done, Bill Shorten, Daily Telegraph
Drug company launches most aggressive campaign for Medicare yet, Mark Metherell, Age
Police claim Oz editor applied scale of human tragedy: Paul Whittaker denies it, Adrian Lowe SMH
AFP chief was "happy" to talk to Oz about raids, Pia Akerman, Australian
Chris Mitchell: The Oz did not have a story about raids, Chris Mitchell, Australian
"Cold-hearted pollies in dangerous water", Dennis Atkins, Courier-Mail
Asylum seekers didn't want stricken boat to make journey, Tom Allard & Kirsty Needham SMH
"Nothing budging but body count", Michelle Grattan, Age
Sexual harassment is rife within ADFA, Ian McPhedran, Herald Sun
UN ranks Australia as second-best place to live, Peter Martin SMH
Macquarie Uni replaces honours with a bit of Bologna, Jen Rosenberg SMH
Charities want access to unclaimed super, Jessica Wright, Age
Keeping families together may not serve the interests of all children, Jeremy Sammut SMH
Vic's straight-shooting deputy up to his knees (at least) in muck, Josh Gordon, Age
WA Premier contemplates a cabinet reshuffle, Ben Harvey, West Australian
Dreaming of a new cabinet in QT, no less, Ben Harvey, West Australian
How can Australia make a meaningful difference in Afghanistan? Amin Saikal, Age
Julian Assange loses extradition appeal but may yet appeal higher, Paola Totaro, Age
Praise newspapers for revealing Pakistan's betrayal of cricket, Peter Roebuck SMH

Canberra weather: 19, partly cloudy, BoM

International:
Greece is the word at G20 summit starting today, BBC Online
New big bank boss takes some fatigue leave, Jill Treanor, Guardian
Murdoch family used a therapist to get through phone scandal, Sarah Ellison, Vanity Fair
Don't forget Bill Gates! He spends his money well. Maxwell Wesson, Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Why are we still talking about Robert Mugabe's iron grip? Mail & Guardian

WEDNESDAY

Banks pass on rate cut: Woo hoo! Peter Martin SMH
"Christmas cheer over latest rates cut", Phil Jacob, Telegraph
First rate cut under Gillard PM - not a minute too soon, Phillip Hudson & Jessica Craven, Herald Sun
Rate cut "a massive boost for struggling households", Stephen McMahon & Nicola Webber, Courier Mail
Retailers expect a better Christmas thanks to rate cut, Julian Swallow, Advertiser
Rudd (who?) called a "tosser" by Julie Bishop in party room, Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun
WEF: Women hold less than 20% of key jobs, AFP/Advertiser
International competitiveness: 6 of first 7 Cup placegetters were from overseas, Richard Hinds SMH
Qantas lockout: What did Abbott know & when did he know it? Phillip Coorey SMH
Abbott denies lockout foreknowledge. But what about Hockey comments? Michelle Grattan, Age
Hockey: Qantas told me about it, AAP/Age
Gillard: Abbott is "in cover-up mode", AAP/Age
Gillard: Abbott uttered not one word of criticism about lockout, Michelle Grattan, Age
Tit-for-tat allegations suggestion Coalition-Qantas collusion, Andrew Tillett, West Australian
Qantas may get a little surprise in FWA arbitration, Ben Schneiders, Age
Joyce to face Senate committee on Friday, Matt O'Sullivan, Age
Qantas Boeing 767 sabotage incident being investigated, Geoffrey Thomas, West Australian
"The Qantas brand is heading for the hangar", Paul Harrison, Age
"Qantas refunds may take months", Robyn Ironside, Courier Mail
Abbott to show his cards today on problem gambling policy, Phillip Coorey SMH
Opposition gambling policy will look pretty much like the last one, Michelle Grattan, Age
Self-exclusion will probably be the centrepiece, Richard Willingham, Age
Coalition to ban broadcasting of betting odds during games (good!), Andrew Clennell, Telegraph
"Nation's elite ignores commoner sense on pokies", Tim Costello, The Punch
Voters of all persuasions strongly support mining tax (to be introduced today), Phillip Coorey SMH
Gillard hasn't got the numbers for it yet but is working on it, Katharine Murphy, Age
Windsor's price: A halt to coal seam gas mining, AAP/Courier Mail
Windsor is "not open to negotiation", AAP/West Australian
Given crumbling revenue, we need the MRRT, Peter Martin, Age
Greens table coal seam gas bill, Tony Moore, Age
Romad Financial Services case shows feds should move decisively on licenses, Adele Ferguson, Age
Bob Brown: Proprietors already have media inquiry "trammelled by fear", Tim Dick SMH
"Last week was free love" at Occupy Wall Street, Telegraph
Brown takes aim at News Ltd "oligarchy", Katharine Murphy, Age
Feds spend $15m a year on media monitoring (& its still not as good as Breakfast Politics), Telegraph
ACT, NT autonomy enhanced by passage of Territories bill yesterday, Jessica Wright, Age
New SA premier wants a better Murray-Darling deal, Lauren Wilson & Rebecca Puddy, Australian
Our economy is top heavy with monopolies & oligopolies, Jessica Irvine SMH
Fed research grants to unis announced, Dan Harrison, Age
Senate committee is looking at flawed adoption practices, Adele Horin SMH
A small story showing why incredulity is now our default response to civic life, Raimond Gaita, Age
Both sides condemn peoplesmugglers over latest deaths at sea, Kirsty Needham & Tom Allard SMH
"Decency the victim in this ugly spectacle", Daniel Flitton, Age
"Dear Shooty..." Tom Keneally SMH
"Relief as Bali boy is comforted by judge", Tom Allard SMH
A Berlin doctor would be Queen had succession rules changed earlier, John-Paul Rojas SMH
Why are govts around the world blocking Sri Lankan war crime trials? Greg Barns, Age
FBI releases videos of how it caught Russian spies including Anna Chapman, Michael Muskal SMH
"Cain denies, then admits, harassment claims", Simon Mann, Age
Papandreou risks all putting debt deal to popular vote, Niki Kitsantonis SMH
Burke & Wills expedition was a (scientific) success, Carolyn Webb, Age
We should think more about Mawson, Steve Meacham SMH
90% of Australians want to see Australian stories on screen, Michael Bodey, Australian
Sculpture by the Sea starts tomorrow, Erik Jensen SMH

Canberra weather: 21, partly cloudy, BoM

International:
"For young women, a horrifying consequence of Mubarak's overthrow", Betwa Sharma, New Republic
Papua & "special autonomy", Hafid Abbas, Jakarta Post
Tea Party divisions could deliver Republican nomination to Romney, Alex Altman, Time
"Down with knee-jerk downsizing", Teresa Amabile & Steve Kramer, Harvard Business Review
Young people binge-drinking? Blame those 17thC Oxbridge undergrads. Siobhan Coskeran, Varsity
"Breeding nice doctors. It's all the rage." Lisa Rosenbaum NYT

TUESDAY

Swan's office phones banks to urge Cup Day rate cut flow through, Peter Martin & Eric Johnston, Age
Swan: There's "no excuse whatsoever" for a Cup Day rate cut not to be passed on, Phil Jacob, Telegraph
RBA could make everyone a winner today, Mark Kenny, Advertiser
On the race that stops a nation, (SP bookie's grandson) Rob Hulls, Age
Gambling is so out of control now I'm foregoing a Cup punt on principle, Michael McGuire, The Punch
Planes & flak flew yesterday, Phillip Coorey & Matt O'Sullivan SMH
Unsurprisingly, it was a Qantas question time, Jacqueline Maley SMH
"PM not taking any prisoners", Laura Tingle AFR
Qantas completely blindsided the Gillard Govt, Phillip Hudson, Herald Sun
Albo held 3 meetings with Joyce in 8 days prior to lockout - yet was ambushed, Michelle Grattan, Age
Qantas board is calling the shots & Chair Leigh Clifford's training the gun on unionism, Ian Verrender SMH
"The Irish CEO is on a 'roo shoot", Susie O'Brien, Herald Sun
"If a union did this, all hell would break loose", Ged Kearney, The Punch
Joyce makes vigorous bid for "Twat of the Year", Geoff Lemon, The Punch
Meanwhile unions are considering their options... Kelly Burke & Jessica Wright SMH
And a Virgin rebirth is underway thanks to ex-Qantas guy John Borghetti, Elizabeth Knight SMH
Shorten on Qantas: "I just think there's a smarter way of doing things", AAP/Australian
Qantas has form as management dunces, Bernard Keane, Crikey
Qantas' three big PR clunkers, David Penberthy, Telegraph
"How has it come to this?" Kerreen Reiger, Age
What is Joyce up to in Asia? Matt O'Sullivan SMH
We're not abandoning Australia. Honestly. Alan Joyce, Herald Sun
Qantas had other options but chose to force govt to act, Anthony Forsyth & John Howe SMH
Qantas can't guarantee job security. No company can. Gerard Henderson SMH
Why some will & others won't return to Qantas, Andrew Hughes, The Conversation
"Qantas has lost the affection of thousands", Michael Shmith, Age
Gillard set to jet to France for G20 leaders' summit, AFR
"Leaders, like fashions, come and go", Paul Williams, Courier Mail
WIndsor names his price for mining tax vote incl curbs on coal seam gas , Phillip Coorey SMH
Judge finds Keneally & Roozendahl acted properly in NSW power sale... Imre Salusinszky, Australian
And says BOF should sell the rest, Andrew Clennell, Telegraph
Report also says NSW power asset values shrank because it was dragged out so long, AFR
Judge's finding that NSW Labor got "value for money" makes BOF "look silly", Andrew Clennell, Telegraph
"Press Council calls for new panel to fine media", Herald Sun
Refugee Council: Asylum seekers nixed by ASIO should have right to review, Kirsty Needham, Age
"How & where Australia contributes globally", Kevin Rudd, Telegraph
"I'm sorry, but society doesn't owe you a child", Tory Shepherd, The Punch

Canberra weather: 24, morning fog, BoM

International:
Hedge fund managers are the new oil barons, killing the American dream, Thomas Schulz, Der Spiegel
Is luck or ROL the "X factor" in super successful business careers? Jim Collins & Morton T Hansen NYT
Kelly Cutrone says "normal gets you nowhere", Helen Pye, Cherwell
Chinese vice-minister: Rising labour costs will force major economic restructure, Lan Lan, China Daily
Fukushima clean up could take 30 years, Justin McCurry, Guardian
MRIs are the pretext for much unnecessary surgery in athletes, Gina Kolata NYT

MONDAY

Fair Work rules dispute must end: Qantas might fly tonight, Phillip Coorey & Matt O'Sullivan SMH
Qantas hopes to be flying this afternoon, Ewin Hannan & Steve Creedy, Australian
Alan Joyce was waiting for PM to return his phone call & fix it (he says), Joe Hildebrand & Simon Benson, Daily Telegraph
Three soldiers murdered, but Australia will stay in Afghanistan, Phillip Coorey SMH
Seven more wounded by "most unfriendly fire", Rafael Epstein, Age
Diggers had moved beyond "normal operating area", Brendan Nicholson, Australian
Australia is there to train Afghan troops, not fear them, Nick Butterly, West Australian
Slain Diggers all from Queensland, AAP/Courier-Mail
Qantas: A failure of leadership on all sides, Peter Hartcher SMH
Actually, a massive IR opportunity for Gillard, Laura Tingle AFR
If Gillard can get a Fair Work result, she will be on strong ground, Dennis Atkins, Courier-Mail
Govt had no guarantee of success with FWA, Michelle Grattan, Age
Even if Qantas flies today, more tears will be shed, Malcolm Farr, The Punch
Alan Joyce: Shareholders gave us the impetus (& the payrise) on Friday, Matt O'Sullivan & Andrew Heasley SMH
Interesting theory: Alan Joyce is doing a kamikaze (pushed by chairman), Michael West, Age
Qantas has trashed its own brand..., Adele Ferguson, Age
And Brand Australia too (all that money on Oprah?) Lucy Battersby & David Rood, Age
Qantas can't afford to be Australian, Stuart Washington SMH
Mining sector dented, but could have been worse, Alana Buckley-Carr, West Australian
World leaders not so lucky to be stranded in Perth, Jessica Wright SMH
God save British Airways as Liz & Phil take off, Katherine Fleming et al, West Australian
Let's get Liz back to say goodbye, Amanda Vanstone, Age
PM leaves for G20 in France tomorrow: CHOGM sends its love, Michelle Grattan, Age
What did CHOGM actually achieve? Little on human rights, Steve Pennells, West Australian
Sri Lanka, South Africa & others block human rights commissioner, Phillip Coorey SMH
Gillard got a boost on boat people from CHOGM, Matthew Thompson, The Conversation
Ex Com Ombudsman: Asylum policy based on fear & moral cowardice, Richard Willingham, Age
Hopes that Sinodinos will bring discipline to Abbott's round table, Phillip Coorey SMH
Paul Keating: "Too many in the Labor Party don't like the society we've created", Paul Maley, Australian
Upstream states have failed to treat Murray with respect, Catherine Hockley, Advertiser
Bob Katter recruits one LNP dissident, Koren Helbig, Courier-Mail
Screening has dramatically cut cervical cancer deaths, Joseph Catanzaro, Age
Looks like polygamy is back in Libya, Adam Nossiter SMH
Netball's Diamonds are world's number 1, Melissa Woods SMH
Media diary, Nick Leys, Australian

Canberra weather: 22, sunny, BoM

Best from the Weekend:
OMG Julia & Kevin actually worked together at CHOGM! Laurie Oakes, The Punch
If Gillard can just survive this week, 2012 may provide clear air, Dennis Atkins, Courier Mail
Turnbull doesn't think much of pokies. (Come on over to Labor, Malcolm.) Katharine Murphy, Age
That Katter's a sad whacker, David Penberthy, The Punch
Alan Joyce is a dope taking a big fat pay rise while brawling with the unions, Hugh Riminton, The Punch
"Qantas CEO has 'gone mad' say pilots", AAP/Sun Herald

International:
"Can we win the hearts & minds of the Papuans?" Adhi Priamarizki, Jakarta Post
PMQs: 50 years old this week, Michael White, Guardian
"Conservatives are more squeamish than Liberals", Jeanna Bryner, LiveScience
"Germany goes for sustainable capitalism", Olivier Cyran, Le Monde Diplomatique
History Channel segue to home renos worked for men, Peter Hamilton, DocumentaryTelevision.com
Annie Liebowitz's spirital resurrection (with a dash of Dickinson & Woolf), Dominique Browning NYT