We have become one of the most unethical nations in the West, where slick presentation, propaganda and incessant spin make their own realities.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has given further hints he may be considering staying on in the Federal Parliament and suggested the public will better appreciate his legacy with the passage of time.

Mr Abbott, who was ousted as prime minister in a leadership coup last month, also confirmed his relationship with Bronwyn Bishop had deteriorated, as a result of her being dumped as speaker over her grandiose use of entitlements.

Nato has urged Russia to end air strikes "on the Syrian opposition and civilians", days after Moscow began raids to support Syria's government.

The push for more competition was recommended by the Harper Review, which will be put before state and territory treasurers at their next meeting, scheduled for later this month.

President Obama, who has boasted of ordering military strikes on seven countries, chastised Russia and China for not abiding by the rules of international behaviour, a breathtaking example of hypocrisy or self-deceit.

Once again Vladimir Putin has seemingly outmanoeuvred the White House. A senior US diplomat said to me the other day that when Obama leaves office he will be roundly applauded for the way he negotiated and ultimately delivered a deal on Iran, but will be justifiably vilified for the vacillation and vagueness over his Syria policy.

Putin, on the other hand, has been totally consistent. He wants to protect Russia's only deepwater port on the Eastern Mediterranean and will do what it takes to protect it.

A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client, or so the saying goes. But what of a democratically elected prime minister who wilfully refuses to represent the broad sweep of the people, and particularly those who didn't vote for him?

When Carly Fiorina told a Republican debate audience what the country needs to have “the strongest military on the face of the planet”—50 Army brigades, 36 Marine battalions, at least 300 naval ships, a rebuild of the Sixth Fleet and an upgrade of “every leg of the nuclear triad”—it sounded a bit familiar.

The former prime minister thanks Ray Hadley and his listeners for their “support and encouragement”. Obviously. They are in furious agreement that nothing has changed with the change in the prime ministership. Hadley seems to concur with Abbott that he would have won a presidential-style victory at the next election. By implication – that whole leadership-change thing was pointless.