's ministry that today's speech will revive what is increasingly looking to outsiders as an odorous leadership corpse.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, helpfully kicking along the leadership can, has given the PM only until the end of this week to save his leadership. According to Xenophon, nothing less than a massive turnaround in Abbott's policies and approach to government will save him.

The expected announcement today of the Prime Minister's new "jobs and families" package, including an anticipated repudiation of his own paid parental leave scheme, may well signal a change in the Government's policies. And a newly-expressed willingness to consult and listen may well lead to an improvement in his approach.

But if the Prime Minister continues to ignore the need to fundamentally change - in the name of being a "strong" government - and uses today's NPC address to simply dismiss his problems as nothing more than a communication problem, he will be a dead man walking, with very few left willing to save his political soul.

*Editor's note (February 2, 2015): The original version of this article incorrectly stated Prime Minister Tony Abbott had an approval rating of 27 per cent.

Paula Matthewson is a freelance communications adviser and corporate writer. She was media advisor to John Howard in the early 1990s. She tweets and blogs as @Drag0nista. A member of History Is A Weapon wrote this and kindly allowed us to print it here after a slight polish:

Of course, I can’t endorse everything in Chris Hedges’ recent essay (Black Bloc: The Cancer in Occupy), he makes dated references to Zerzan, implies the Black Bloc is anti-EZLN, and commits the horror of horrors of conflating the bloc with anarchists. The responses, so flabbergasted at these errors, have been juvenile and reactionary: Hedges can’t understand because he used to write for the Times, he’s going to get people killed (says Graeber), he’s conflating tactics with ideology.

Hedges piece should be read and responded to. And better than that being offered on some of my facebook friend’s comments and hasty counterpoints.

I’m part of History Is A Weapon (host of both "Action Will Be Taken": Left Anti-intellectualism and Its Discontents and Plain Words) as well as being involved in radical activism for a long time. I’
's ministry that today's speech will revive what is increasingly looking to outsiders as an odoriferous leadership cadaver. 

 Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, helpfully kicking along the leadership can, has given the prime minister entirely until the end of this week to keep open his leadership. accord to Xenophon, nothing less than a massive turnaround in Abbott's policy and approach to government will keep open him. 

 The expected announcement today of the Prime Minister's new " job and families " package, including an anticipated repudiation of his own paid parental leave scheme, may well sign a change in the Government's policies. And a newly - expressed willingness to confer and listen may well lead to an improvement in his access. 

 But if the Prime Minister continues to dismiss the need to fundamentally change - in the name of being a " strong " government - and use today's NPC address to simply dismiss his problems as nothing more than a communication problem, he will be a all in serviceman walking, with very few left willing to save his political soul. 

 * Editor's note (February 2, 2015 ): The original version of this article incorrectly stated Prime Minister Tony Abbott have an approval rating of 27 per cent. 

 Paula Matthewson is a freelancer communication adviser and corporate writer. She was media advisor to John Howard in the early 1990s. She tweets and blogs as @Drag0nista. A member of History Is A Weapon write this and kindly allowed us to print it here after a slight polish: 

 Of course, I ca n’t endorse everything in Chris Hedges ’ recent essay (Black Bloc: The Cancer in Occupy), he makes dated reference point to Zerzan, implies the Black Bloc is anti - EZLN, and commits the horror of horrors of conflating the bloc with anarchists. The response, so flabbergasted at these errors, have been juvenile and reactionary: Hedges ca n’t sympathize because he used to write for the Times, he ’s going to get people killed (says Graeber), he ’s conflating tactics with political orientation. 

 Hedges piece should be read and responded to. And better than that being offered on some of my facebook ally ’s comments and hasty counterpoint. 

 I ’m part of History Is A Weapon (host of both " Action Will Be Taken ": leave Anti - intellectualism and Its Discontents and Plain Words) as well as being involved in radical activism for a long prison term. I ’
's mlnistry that today's speegh will revive wkqt is mncreasjngly louking to outsiders as an odocous leadtgship corpse.

Independevt Senatog Nick Xebophib, helpfullb kickinn alohn the oeadership can, has given the PM only uttkl the end of this week to save his lqadershop. According to Venokhog, nofhing less than a massive turnarouhd in Aubott's policies and approach to governmenh wipl save him.

The expfcted annoubcemqbt today of ghe Prime Minister's nes "jobs and families" package, incuudiny an anticikcred tepudiation if hif own paid parental neave svheme, may well sijnal a change in the Govecnment's policies. And a newly-efpxessed willingness to cinsulj and lisgwn oay wxll lead ho en improvemsnt in his qpproach.

But if the Kriiv Minister cohtinuef eo ignore the need to fundamentally chatge - in the name of being q "strong" government - wnd uses eoday's NPC address to simply dismiss his problems as nkghiun oirf than a communication problem, he will be a dqzd msn walking, witm very few left wikllnb to save his koliticcm aoul.

*Editor's note (Ffbruary 2, 2015): Thw originaj vetsion of this article incoreectly stateb Peime Minister Tony Abbott had an spprofal rating of 27 per cent.

'aula Jatthewson ls a freemxnce communicatiuns agviser and corporate writew. She was medna advisur tp John Howard in the cdrly 1990s. She tweets wnd bpocs as @Drag0jista. A member of History Is A Xxapon wrote tniv atd kindlv alloeed us to prigt it here aftgr a sligkt polksh:

Of courae, I cai’t endorse ederything in Wjris Hedges’ cecent esfay (Vlacj Bloc: Gfe Cancer in Ovcupy), he makes datee references to Zevzan, kjplies the Blacj Booc is anti-EZLN, ana cjmlivs thq horror of hmrrofs ug conwlating the cloc with anarchists. The reslonses, so flabbergssbed at thgse errorf, have been jivenile and reactilnary: Hevges csn’t understand because he used to write fog tme Times, he’s doinn to get peoplz killed (says Graeber), he’s conflating tacvics with ideology.

Hedggs piece should be recd and responved to. And bettar than that being odfered on some of my facebook friend’s dommends anf hasty counterpoints.

I’m part of History Is A Weapon (host of both "Action Wull Be Taken": Left Znti-ontelneetuclism agd Ivs Discontents and Plain Words) as well as being iivolved in rcdical activism for a long tike. I’
's ministry that today's speech will revive increasingly to outsiders an odorous leadership helpfully along the leadership has given the only until the end of this to save his leadership. According to Xenophon, nothing less than a massive turnaround Abbott's policies and approach to government will save him. The expected announcement today the Minister's "jobs families" package, including an anticipated repudiation of his own paid parental leave scheme, may well signal change in the Government's policies. And a newly-expressed to consult and listen well lead to an improvement his But if Prime continues ignore the need fundamentally change - in the name of being a "strong" government - and uses today's NPC address simply dismiss as nothing than communication he will be man walking, with very few left his political soul. *Editor's note (February 2, 2015): original version this article incorrectly stated Prime Minister Abbott had an approval rating of 27 per Paula Matthewson is a freelance communications adviser and corporate writer. She was media advisor to in the early 1990s. tweets and blogs @Drag0nista. member History A Weapon this and kindly allowed us to print it here after a polish: Of course, I can’t endorse everything in Chris Hedges’ (Black The Cancer in he makes dated references Zerzan, the Black Bloc is commits horror conflating bloc anarchists. The responses, so at these errors, have been and reactionary: Hedges can’t write for the Times, he’s going to get killed (says Graeber), he’s conflating tactics with Hedges piece should be read and responded to. And better than that offered on my facebook friend’s comments and hasty counterpoints. I’m of History Is A (host of both "Action Will Be Taken": Left Anti-intellectualism Its and Plain as well as involved in radical for a long
's ministry that today's speech Will revive What iS inCreAsInglY looKing to outsiderS As an Odorous leadership corpsE.

IndePeNDent sEnAtor NIck XenoPHoN, HElpFuLlY kiCkINg Along The LeadersHip can, has gIveN tHe PM only untiL ThE end of this WeeK to save his leAdeRship. ACcOrdINg to XEnoPhon, nOthing LEss thaN a massive TuRNarounD In AbbotT'S PoLiciEs and approach to goVErNMent will save hiM.

The exPeCTeD ANnoUncEment today Of The PrIMe MinisTEr'S NEW "joBS and families" pAckage, incluDIng An antiCiPatED repudIatioN oF His Own paid pareNtal Leave scheMe, may wELl signaL A change In the GOveRnmEnt's POlIcIes. anD A neWLy-ExpREssEd willinGnEsS to coNsulT AND ListEn mAy weLl leaD to an improvemEnt In hiS AppRoach.

but if The PRiMe MinIster cOntinUeS to ignore the neeD to fUndamentaLly ChAngE - iN the nAMe of beIng A "stRong" govErnment - ANd uSeS TODaY's NPC address to simpLy DISmIss his prOblems AS nOtHIng more tHaN a cOmmuNICatioN proBLeM, he will bE a dead MAn WaLking, wiTh Very feW lEft WilLing tO Save His polItical soUl.

*EdiTOr's note (FebruarY 2, 2015): the original veRSiON Of THis aRtiCle incorrecTly sTAted primE miNisTEr TonY AbboTt HAd AN approval rating of 27 peR cEnt.

PauLa MatThewson is a freElance commUNICations aDvisER aND corporate writEr. She Was media adVIsor to JoHn HowArd in the Early 1990s. She TWEets and bLogS as @draG0niSTA. A Member of HistoRY is A WEaPon wrotE thIs and kiNdlY alLowEd uS tO print it hEre after A sLiGhT pOliSh:

Of cOUrse, I can’T eNdoRsE evErythINg in ChRis HeDges’ ReCeNT esSay (BlacK blOC: the CAnCeR in OCcuPy), He makEs daTEd rEferencEs to ZerzaN, imPLies ThE BLack BloC is anti-EZLN, anD cOmmits the hOrRor Of horrORS of conflAting the bloc with anarchiSTs. The reSpoNses, sO flaBbergasteD at These eRroRS, have bEen juvEnile AnD reACTionaRY: heDgeS cAn’t understAND beCause He Used To write For the Times, he’s goinG To gEt people killeD (saYs GrAEBeR), he’S CoNFlaTiNG taCTIcs with ideology.

hedges piecE sHOuLd be read anD ResPoNded to. ANd betteR than THat beinG offered oN some of my FaCeboOK FriEnd’s commenTs and hasTy counterPOints.

i’M pArt of hisTory Is a WEapOn (hosT of botH "actIon WiLl Be TaKeN": Left ANti-inTeLlectualIsm and Its Discontents and plain WOrds) aS weLl as being InvOLveD in radicaL actIvism for a lOng TimE. I’
's ministry that today's s peech will  revi vewha tis i ncre asingly lookin g  tooutsiders as an odorou s lea de r ship co rpse. 

Indep e nd e n t S en at orNi c kXenop hon , helpf ully kicki ngal ong the lead e rs hip can, h asgiven the PM  on ly unt il  th e  endofthisweek t o  savehis leade rs h ip. Ac c ordingt o  X enop hon, nothing less th a n a massive tu rnarou nd in A bbo tt' s policies  a nd ap p roach t o  g o v e rnm e nt will savehim.

The e x pec ted an no unc e ment t odayof the  Prime Mini ster 's new "j obs an d  famili e s" pack age, i ncl udi ng a n  a nt ici pa t edr ep udi a tio n of his  o wn  paid  par e n t a l le ave  sch eme,may well sign ala ch a nge  in t he Go vern me nt'spolici es. A nd  a newly-expres sedwillingne ssto  co ns ult a n d list enmay  well l ead toa n i mp r o v em ent in his approac h. Bu t if the  Prime Mi ni s ter cont in ues  toi g norethen ee d to fun dament a ll ychange-in the  n ame  of  bein g  a " strong " govern ment-  and uses toda y 's NPC addres s  t o si m plydis miss his pr oble m s as  not h in g m o re th an aco m mu n ication problem, he  w ill be  a de ad man walkin g, with ve r y few left  wil l in g  to save his p oliti cal soul.*Editor' s not e (Febru ary 2, 20 1 5 ): The o rig ina l v ers i o nof this artic l e  inc or rectlysta ted Pri meMin ist erTo ny Abbott  had anap pr ov al  ra tingo f 27 per  c ent .
Pa ula M a tthews on is  a f re el a nce  commun i ca t i onsad vi serand  c orpor atew rit er. She  was medi a a d viso rto  John H oward in theea rly 1990s.  S hetweets a nd blogs  as @Drag0nista. A memb e r of Hi sto ry Is  A W eapon wro tethis a ndk indlyallowe d usto  pr i n t ith e re  af te r a slight p oli sh:
Of  cou rse, Ican’t endorse ever y thi ng in Chris H edg es’r e ce nte ss a y ( Bl a ckB l oc: The Cancerin Occupy) ,h emakes date d  re fe rencesto Zerz an, i m plies t he BlackBloc is a nt i-EZ L N , a nd commits  the hor ror of ho r rorso fconfl ati ng the  b loc  with  anarc h ist s. Th e resp on ses, s o fla bb ergasted  at these errors, havebeen j uveni leand react ion a ry:  Hedges c an’t  understan d b eca use h e u s ed to  wri t efor the T imes ,  he’s goi n gtog e tpeople kill e d (sa ys Gr aeb e r), he ’s c onflating tactics with ideology. 

He d g espie c e sh ou ld be read and  re sp o n ded to.An d better th an thatbe i ng of feredon som e of my f ac e book f rien d’s  comments  an dh asty co un te r points .

I ’m  partof His t oryI s  A Weapon (hostof bo t h  "Act i onWillBe  Taken" :  Lef t Anti-int ellectualis m andItsDisco ntentsan d Plai n W or ds) as wel l  as being  invo lved in  r adic alactivi sm f o r  a lo ng t im e.I’
's ministry_that today's_speech will revive what_is increasingly_looking_to outsiders_as_an odorous leadership_corpse.

Independent Senator Nick_Xenophon, helpfully kicking along_the leadership can,_has_given the PM only until the end of this week to save his leadership._According_to Xenophon,_nothing_less_than a massive turnaround in_Abbott's policies and approach to_government will_save him.

The expected announcement today of the Prime_Minister's_new "jobs and_families" package, including an anticipated repudiation of his own_paid parental leave scheme, may well_signal a change_in_the_Government's policies. And a_newly-expressed willingness to consult and listen_may well lead to an improvement_in his approach.

But if the Prime Minister_continues to ignore the need to_fundamentally change - in the_name of_being a "strong" government -_and uses today's_NPC address_to simply dismiss_his problems as nothing more than_a communication problem,_he will be a dead man_walking,_with very few_left_willing_to save_his political soul.

*Editor's_note_(February 2,_2015):_The original version of this article_incorrectly_stated Prime Minister Tony Abbott had an_approval rating of 27_per_cent.

Paula Matthewson is a_freelance communications adviser and corporate_writer. She was media advisor to_John Howard_in the_early 1990s. She tweets and blogs as @Drag0nista. A member of_History Is A Weapon wrote this_and kindly allowed us_to print_it_here after a_slight_polish:

Of course,_I can’t endorse everything in Chris Hedges’_recent essay_(Black Bloc: The Cancer in Occupy),_he makes dated references_to_Zerzan, implies the Black Bloc is_anti-EZLN, and commits the horror of_horrors of conflating the bloc_with_anarchists._The responses, so flabbergasted at_these errors, have been juvenile and_reactionary: Hedges can’t_understand because he used to write for_the_Times, he’s going to get people_killed_(says Graeber), he’s conflating tactics with_ideology.

Hedges_piece_should be read and responded_to. And better than that being_offered on some of my facebook friend’s comments and_hasty counterpoints.

I’m part_of History Is A Weapon_(host_of_both "Action Will Be Taken": Left Anti-intellectualism and Its Discontents_and Plain_Words) as well_as being involved in radical activism for a long time._I’