Unsurprisingly, as the one year anniversary of the Abbott government ticked over, Prime Minister Tony Abbott maintained a three to one lead over the increasingly popular Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, and a six-to-one lead over Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who returned to his union roots to fire up some submarine workers in Adelaide during the week. The PM’s focus remained largely on international affairs and counter terrorism at home, although the mining tax repeal did allow some domestic glory as the Government claimed it had now met its three key promises of removing the carbon tax, removing the mining tax and (mostly) stopping the boats.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne made his first ever appearance in the top three after being forced to fend off allegations about his involvement in the James Ashby-Peter Slipper issue. The other big movers into the top ten were owing to long-running state political controversies. Frankston MP Geoff Shaw made it back into the top ten after Premier Denis Napthine finally backed moves to expel him, only to have it blocked by the opposition despite their calls for his expulsion earlier this year. The other was a lean and seemingly relaxed former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, who certainly didn’t look like “the big man” as he visited ICAC again, this time in relation to the Newcastle donations scandal.

In the bottom half, now-independent Senator John Madigan’s resignation from the DLP pushed him well up the list, while the previously mentioned issue of submarine contracts moved Industry Minister Ian MacFarlane into a rare appearance in the top 20.

Crikey Political Index: September 4-10

Julie Bishop may be getting plenty of news mentions, but state controversies are far more likely to get the phones buzzing for talkback stations.

Talkback Top Five

It’s a similar story on social media, for perhaps a different reason, where not being mentioned could almost be taken as a vote of confidence, particularly for politicians from the conservative side.

Social Media Top Five

It’s the start of that month of the year when sport dominates even more than usual in Australia. Essendon Bombers interim coach was Mark Thompson one of the first to dip out and while he claims he’s not moving clubs, you’d be brave to predict this is the last we’ll see of him as a head coach.

Comparison of media mentions