"The laws of mathematics are very commendable but the only law that applies in Australia is the law of Australia."
Malcolm Turnbull with a press conference for the ages announcing his plans to force the likes of Facebook and Apple to decrypt private encrypted messages and hand them over to the government in the name of federal security.
We're now at the end of week three of the eight-week federal election campaign, and all the body language I see from Turnbull is the same as he has displayed for the last few months beforehand: He looks bored with the Prime Ministership. That "ok I've done this Prime Minister thing, what's next?" languidness.
A selected storification of the week leading up to the day Australia elected its worst Prime Minister ever, together with an obituary of particular irony in its timing.
Tony Abbott is no longer Prime Minister of Australia. After almost, but not quite, two years, he is gone.
The complete text of Kevin Rudd's apology, delivered in Canberra yesterday morning, follows (on the "read more" link). It can also be found on the Prime Ministerial website. Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull's speech of apology is also noteworthy and can be read in full at malcolmturnbull.com
What an incredible, hilarious waste of time this week has been in the House of Representatives. Has there a more ridiculous non-scandal than Utegate - a stupid, absurdly Australian moniker that befits the stupidity of the whole saga. Here's my Player Ratings on the winners and losers among the Utegate Dramatis Personae:
"I know what it's like to be very short of money. I know what it's like to live in rented flats. I know what it's like to grow up with a single parent, with no support other than a devoted and loyal father." And with that, the Honourable Member for Wentworth, 20th century internet millionaire, barista barrister, BRW rich lister and merchant banker Malcolm Bligh Turnbull announced to the plebeians that he is just One Of Us.
Make no mistake, Brendan Nelson has been a brave man. He took over the leadership of the Liberal Party last November when it was at a low ebb. It had been decimated in the federal election, the previous leader had lost his own seat, and the man many thought to be the natural successor (Peter Costello) wanted to move on. It was Dr Nelson's task to rebuild the party's stocks and to make it a competitive policy force for the future.
Breaking news, as His Haplessness The Good Doctor Nelson calls a leadership spill. The parliamentary Liberal Party will vote tomorrow morning, shortly before the Honourable Member for Higgins gives a national-televised book launch on the non-commercial national broadcaster.
It's not ready to call yet. Labor is getting closer to winning the election, but not yet. I still think John Howard is gone. Malcolm Turnbull appears safe. Peter Costello was looking shaky in Higgins for a short while. The incredibly bad Danna Vale has made it home in Hughes. I think Bob Baldwin has retained Paterson, but I know from past elections that this electorate can take days to decide.