Dennis Napthine’s shock elevation to Victorian Premier received highly concentrated media coverage last week and brings him to second place on our chart with a bullet (presumably the one taken by his predecessor Ted Baillieu).

Gaining coverage in more orthodox fashion is returned WA Premier Colin Barnett, who trounced WA Labor leader Mark McGowan at last weekend’s election. If nothing else, through solid campaigning, McGowan secured a previously non-existent national profile for his efforts.

But no one could take the political oxygen away from PM Julia Gillard’s Battle for Rooty Hill last week and, buoyed by Newspoll results, she will again face down internal dissent and try to shift pressure onto the opposition. The government has a huge legislative agenda for the next fortnight, and new media laws aimed at promoting diversity and regulating the press will be either rammed through Parliament this session or dumped.

Of the uptick in the polls, Newspoll chief executive Martin O’Shannessy said: “A lift in Sydney drove the national rise in Labor’s support, which was largely unchanged in other states.” It suggests, despite much lampooning in the media, Gillard went to western Sydney offering a $1 billion highway and jobs, and this is the area in which the government got its bounce.

But where is Gillard’s number two? As the budget looms, the notable omission from the headlines this week, and our chart, must surely be Treasurer Wayne Swan.

Crikey Political Index: February 28 to March 6

When it comes to talkback radio, Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott are the subject of the overwhelming majority of national political discourse. Napthine enters our chart for the first time.

Talkback top five

The Federal Treasurer missed our coverage chart this week, but as sure as the sun rises in the east, K-Rudd figures in our weekly social media measurement.

Social media top five

The Sharks NRL coach was controversially stood down at the weekend amid the drugs in sport scandal. Another sporting Shane, Watson, is also fodder for media cannons this week.

Comparisons on media mentions