What a joy politics is. We all got to see the intricate charade of everyone pretending black was white, that any minority Government wouldn’t do just about anything to get an extra vote on the floor of the House and that Harry Jenkins had simply woken up one late November morning and decided he didn’t want to be Speaker anymore. Harry has undoubtedly proved his loyalty to the family business, while Peter Slipper has shown his loyalty to vice-royally enjoying his last two years in Canberra, although you can bet there will be 71 eagle eyes on the Speaker’s hospitality and travel bills from now on.

While the change in the numbers on the floor of the House was of course a massive issue, an issue with far longer term ramifications was the policy focus of this week, the release of the Murray Darling Basin plan by Tony Burke predictably leaving no-one happy, the only politically realistic result, but the result for both the environment and the sustainability of productive rural life in the Basin are far less certain.

Another event where humans intervened in natural processes for a less than positive outcome pushed Colin Barnett well up the list, with the Margaret River fires likely to lead to at least an extensive review if not an ongoing inquiry.

Tony Abbott returned to the top of the social media list with the most online comments, while Peter Slipper’s motives were lambasted on talkback. Sorry folks, no-one gets the chance to vote either for or against Mr Slipper ever again, but I’m sure he’s taken your comments seriously nevertheless…

Kylie Minogue’s induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame brought a tear to Molly Meldrum’s eye and the PM got some muso kudos, presenting the pop princess with the award.