FASCINATING to watch the Abbott Government orchestrating the “war on terror”.

First the obscure backbencher Dan Tehan pretended he hadn’t checked with the PM before calling for an extension of RAAF bombing raids into Syria. Tony responded coyly that no formal request had yet been received; but his earlier comments about legal problems re Syria v Iraq were null and void, he said, because “the morality is the same”.

Tony’s media mouthpiece, the Murdoch press, thought it was a wonderful idea. Vice Admiral David Johnston, the chief of joint ops, weighed in supporting the expansion while warning it would be “a significantly more dangerous environment” and sensibly noting it would reduce RAAF attacks on Iraq targets.

Next, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said scores of young Australians had been stopped at airports on the way to fight with IS.

Then to no one’s surprise came news that the Americans had made it official with a formal request. Golly, if you didn’t know better you’d think Tony was preparing for a khaki election… maybe even the crucial Canning by-election next month.

THE Press Gallery had lots of fun with their reports of Cabinet leaks, especially the PMO’s talking point that Cabinet was operating “exceptionally well”. It ran rather counter to Abbott loyalist Senator Eric Abetz’s outburst that his leaking colleagues were “gutless”.

One of them (tongue-in-cheek) demanded that Tony “rebuke” poor Eric for confirming the leaks. To which Eric replied that his remarks were “taken out of context”. Well of course they were, dear.

SORRY to see Tony Abbott bowing to the Aboriginal leaders’ demands that they will decide the terms of the referendum on constitutional recognition.

He had it right the first time – it’s a joint operation and should never be allowed to become a “them and us” issue. Alas, that now looks inevitable.

CLOSER to home, there’s a pleasing politesse as we approach the ACT elections. While Andrew Barr is a conscientious Chief Minister, Lib Leader Jeremy Hanson is right to suggest his government is looking increasingly tired. And lame duck Simon Corbell’s decision to retain all his ministerial posts till the election prevents the emergence of an engaging replacement… if indeed one exists.

FORMER Labor Minister John Hargreaves’ call for $50 notes to be allowed in Canberra’s poker machines – which help fill Labor’s campaign coffers – was not helpful. “I am not such a wet sop as to deny people a bit of fun,” he said. Is Mr Hargreaves’ definition of “fun” really pouring the family pay packet into the pokies?

GOOD to see a proposal to restore that Yarralumla eyesore, the Brickworks, to become a lively centre of galleries and coffee shops. Timber specialist Thor Diesendorf is driving the project with a team of Canberra architects. It should be a real asset to the suburb and the city. And not before time.

FINALLY, the kerfuffle over Nick Kyrgios’ nasty sledge at Stan Wawrinka refuses to die. Even his mate Thanasi Kokkinakis weighed in to say it was “out of order”. Nick is now in danger of being defined by it… such a contrast to the wonderful young Aussie golfer Jason Day whose US PGA victory was universally applauded.

robert@robertmacklin.com