CHRISTMAS comes early for the Feds on the hill, as this week they bid tearful farewells to friend and foe alike.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten at least tempered the usual mush with a dig at the multi-millionaire PM: “As long as the truffles are up to standard,” he said, “it’s never been a more exciting time to be Malcolm Turnbull.”

The PM himself went overboard in thanking predecessor Tony Abbott.

“He has been a great prime minister,” he said. “And I thank him for his support today as a member of our party.”

They really have no shame.

MALCOLM had just returned from the Paris climate-change wordfest where he promoted Abbott’s pledge of very modest CO2 reductions.

Not so the new Canadian PM Justin Trudeau: “Canada is back, my friends,” he declared. “We’re here to help.”

He seemed to be channelling Kevin Rudd who popped up in Paris like Banquo’s ghost. Truth is, Turnbull is locked into the past until he wins an election as PM.

BACK home Mal Brough had a very hot time as Labor held his toes to the fire over his TV admission – later denied in Parliament – that he had asked staffer James Ashby to get copies of then-Speaker Peter Slipper’s diaries. This would be a criminal offence and the AFP is investigating. Few will weep at Brough’s departure… unless you count a ruined Peter Slipper’s tears of joy.

THE rorting by public servants of “sickies” – averaging about two weeks a year – as revealed by the APS Commission is not only unacceptable, it gives ammunition to public-service knockers, as though everyone in private industry was white as snow.

Actually, your columnist has recently had extensive dealings with the overworked folk at Woden Centrelink and a more conscientious and diligent team could not be found anywhere; it’s the small, recalcitrant minority that spoils it for the rest.

MORE to the point was the report showing Canberra as the best place in the nation to harmonise work, family and leisure. Nearly 70 per cent of Canberrans are happy with their work-life balance. In the other states regional workers are usually much more satisfied than their city cousins. This suggests the convenience of travel plays a very big part.

SPEAKING of which, Canberra is the fastest-growing Uber market in Australia. There are now 350 Uber drivers in the city and the 10,000 passengers to date are more than happy with the service. As we noted last week, this is just the beginning of the revolution that will take many private cars off the roads. Light rail proponents beware!  

FINALLY, warmest congrats to Kira Churchland, the first woman to play top-grade Canberra cricket with the blokes. Let’s hope she can handle the inevitable sledges. The South African Daryll Cullinan responded to Shane Warne’s welcome to the crease: “I’ve been waiting two years for another chance at you,” said Warnie.

Cullinan: “Looks like you spent it eating.”

robert@robertmacklin.com