Media wrap - A campaign weekend with a cricketing lunch, a kids book and words about the future


POLITICS AND ECONOMICS

Political life

Kevin Rudd resolves to build the nation in 2010 – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has declared 2010 will be a year of nation building, and warned Opposition Leader Tony Abbott that he must formulate "substantial and consistent" policies ahead of a federal election this year – Brisbane Sunday Mail

Kevin Rudd writes book for kids – Prime Titled Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle, the book follows dog Abby and cat Jasper in an adventure in the grounds of Kirribilli House. Minister Kevin Rudd has written a children's book – Sydney Sunday Telegraph

PM calls teams in to lunch – A festive and jovial Kevin Rudd welcomed the Australian and Pakistani cricket teams to Kirribilli House for a casual lunch yesterday as the sides prepared for battle at the Sydney Cricket Ground today – Sydney Sun Herald

Please explain, Federal MPs – Federal MPs will be forced to explain how taxpayer-funded overseas study tours benefit their electorates under a crackdown on parliamentary entitlements. Secretary Joe Ludwig will make recommendations to the Rudd Government in March – Melbourne Sunday Herald Sun

Elections

Liberal party promise taxi overhaul – Taxi drivers would be subject to a certificate requiring them to speak English, navigate well and ensure passenger comfort and security, under a new Liberal Party policy. Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond has launched the SA Liberal Taxi Industry Policy, which she said would significantly improve service – Adelaide Advertiser

Baillieu's election vow to ban the bong – Bongs would be banned in Victoria if the Coalition wins the state election this year. Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the move would send a clear message to young people that cannabis is dangerous and harmful – Melbourne Sunday Age

Consultants

Dean Brown paid $800,000 for drought advice – Former Liberal Premier Dean Brown has been paid more than $800,000 for advice to the State Government on how to tackle the state's crippling drought – Adelaide Sunday Mail

Economic matters

Businesses are re-hiring again – Go west - not north - if you are looking for a job this year. Unemployment in Cairns is the highest in the state while the Darling Downs jobs market has been least affected by the recession – Brisbane Sunday Mail

Plea to treasurer: spend fuel excise to fix our roads - In the wake of last week's fatal fuel tanker crash on the South Coast, motoring and transport lobby groups are urging federal Treasurer Wayne Swan to reform the Government's road funding policy – Sydney Sun Herald

Anger over bottle shop fees boost – Furious suburban bottle shop owners are threatening to take legal action against the State Government after being forced to pay thousands of dollars in new liquor licence fees aimed at ''high risk'' sellers – Melbourne Sunday Age

Opinions

Elections a test of courage – Piers Akerman in the Sydney Sunday Telegraph previews our elections and more than a few political funerals.

A PM cloaked in many disguises - When one reflects on the rhetoric Kevin Rudd has used since assuming the Labor leadership it tells a story of contradictions writes Peter van Onselen in the Sydney Sunday Telegraph

Financial crisis may yet have a sting in its tail - 2009 was not as bad as feared but 2010 may be worse, writes Personal Finance Editor David Potts in the Sydney Herald Sun

Abbott takes aim at a PM all at sea – Paul Daley in the Sydney Sun Herald says the Opposition Leader is steeling himself for a fight over the Prime Minister's flawed strategy on asylum seekers.

A Liberal world view? - For all his talk of duty and honour, Tony Abbott's world view is sometimes naïve writes Tom Hyland in the Melbourne Sunday Age

Brumby's point to prove – Paul Strangio writes in the Melbourne Sunday Age that of the three state administrations seeking re-election, the latest opinion polls suggest that John Brumby's Government is best placed to extend its tenure.

BUSINESS

Coal Giant Griffin Coal Mining In Trouble - WA resources giant Griffin Coal Mining, a major coal supplier to WA's power stations and an employer of about 400 people, is teetering on collapse. The Perth Sunday Times has learnt the company missed an interest payment worth about $55 million due to bondholders on Thursday, which was payable on $US475 million ($A517million) worth of bonds.

Super Funds: Less Could Be More – Superannuation funds will face increasing pressure to merge in 2010 – Melbourne Sunday Age

MEDIA

Hello World, It's Me: John Laws Comeback – Two years after retiring from radio, broadcaster John Laws is preparing for a comeback – Sydney Sunday Telegraph

Spoiled for TV choice this summerHoliday television is no longer beset with prime time rejects as networks strive to secure their audience before the official ratings period - Melbourne Sunday Herald Sun

LIFE

Education

School policies on disruptive students 'not working' – A mother  whose nine-year-old son missed 53 days of school on suspension last year is appealing for Education Queensland to improve its policies on disruptive students – Brisbane Sunday Mail

Parents told: go back to class before your child starts Prep – All  mums and dads should undergo a special course before their children start Prep to stem an epidemic of violent behaviour in our schools. This is the recommendation of leading parenting expert, Professor Matt Sanders, founder of the acclaimed Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) and Queenslander of the Year in 2007 – Brisbane Sunday Mail

Road safety

Time to end killing on our roads - World-leading road safety experts including police, politicians and academics have slammed NSW's "soft" anti-speeding strategy as the State's road toll soared to 459 deaths in 2009 – Sydney Sunday Telegraph

Law and order

Repeat offenders to have late-night breath tests – Late-night breath tests in criminals' homes are the latest initiative to fight crime in WA. As part of bail conditions for recidivist offenders awaiting trial, the tests are also being conducted on those released into the community on good-behaviour bonds. If they blow above a 0.07 blood- alcohol level they are taken into custody – Perth Sunday Times

Spy kids coming to a police sting near you? – Victoria Police has spent more than 18 months investigating using underage spies to catch pubs and bars serving alcohol to minors but says it is in no rush to make a decision. The Government announced in May 2008 that it would consider using minors to catch pubs, bars and bottle shops selling liquor to people under 18 as part of its five-year, $37.2 million Alcohol Action Plan. But police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said the proposal was still being researched – Melbourne Sunday Age

Child care

Bad parents to lose kids for 18 years under new Government plan – Bad parents will have their children taken from them for up to 18 years under a controversial Barnett Government plan. Abusive, drug-addicted and dysfunctional parents will get two years to prove to authorities they have beaten their problems before children are handed to guardians. Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney said a detailed submission would go before Cabinet in the coming weeks, and, if adopted, legislation would be introduced into parliament this year – Perth Sunday Times

Animal welfare

Leading slow horses to slaughter - While champions such as newly retired sprinter Apache Cat and Melbourne Cup winners Might and Power and Doriemus will see out their days in pampered comfort, thousands of nameless thoroughbreds will be slaughtered at knackeries and abattoirs. The less fortunate become pet or human food, hides or glue, according to the RSPCA – Sydney Sun Herald

Parental leave

Warning on baby leave – Two-year parental leave provisions in new ''family friendly'' workplace laws could unintentionally hurt women's careers, some academics and business groups have warned – Melbourne Sunday Age

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