Much of the Prime Minister’s media coverage this week came after scrapping a central plank of the emissions trading scheme, with big emitters now to pay the European carbon rate from 2015. Climate Change Minister, Greg Combet, zoomed up our chart citing this as good public policy, as did Greens Leader, Christine Milne, in saying it advances the cause of global emissions trading.

Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, gained coverage highlighting the announcement as another government backflip; ironic in a week where his lampooning of government policy on carbon and refugees — including a well publicised gaffe over Olympic Dam — means he is in no position to admit he agrees with John Howard in advocating individual work contracts for fear he will get a taste of his own medicine. Leaving us with both major parties adopting policy positions they don’t believe in to gain power at all costs. Ho hum.

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson was a big mover, causing party ructions announcing “the resources boom is over” following BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam announcement. Finance Minister Penny Wong’s rebuttal of that notion garnered coverage as did her backing of Treasury on carbon modelling. SA Premier Jay Weatherill also went north on our list in his handling of the Olympic Dam announcement.

Crikey Political Index 23 – 29 August 2012

Nicola Roxon burst onto the Twittersphere following the Australian Story episode about her. In the main her online coverage was positive. Unusually, no K-Rudd here.

Social Media Top Five

Curiosity killed the cat. Actually old age did, and Curiosity is on Mars. But the Moonwalk will live forever.

Comparison