Prime Minister Tony Abbott has moved to increase pressure on the Labor Party over axing the carbon pricing scheme, saying it would be the "best possible Christmas present" for Australians.

Tony Abbott has denied breaking an election promise over education funding and the Gonski reforms, insisting he never vowed to maintain the same money for each school.

Dear Malcolm...

Of Scott Morrison's fatuous lack of transparency we need say no more, except that the weekly parading of the unfortunate General Campbell for the TV cameras is a cynical political gimmick. Evidently forbidden to say anything even mildly interesting, he is there as a piece of set decoration. It is demeaning for him and an insult to the uniform.

The education minister, Christopher Pyne, has ruled out reviving the Howard-era school funding system, two days after he said it was “a good starting point for a school funding model”.

FROM THE frazzled MERDE-OCH STABLE:

You are invited to the 2013 Awards Gala Night as long as you are a Rabid Right or a Loony Liberal Lampoon (same thing) ticket holder.

Master of ceremony: George Pell — with Guest speakers Andrew Bolt and Alan Jones.

Blue tie or PRIVATE school tie de rigeur. Female tolerated should your name be "Bishop". Ticket price: $0.00 — you can charge the government for expenses under the rorts legislation.

RSVP by 14 September 1956. 

The foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, has expressed concern about China's sudden announcement of an air-defence identification zone over the East China Sea.

Christopher Pyne's funding model 'quick and dirty': Gonski panel member