Christmas is expected to come early for MPs tomorrow with the Remuneration Authority expected to rule that MPs and Cabinet ministers can have pay rises (all backdated of course) for Christmas!

Hekia Parata should resign as Education Minister! Today's "resignation" of her Education Ministry Secretary Lesley Longstone was merely the act of a fall person who is taking the blame for Hekia's mistakes.

National's public relations management shows in today's announcement of another petrol tax increase. It's simply been announced today as it coincides with the announcement of the Government's fiscal projections - and it's also conveniently close to Christmas.

I want to send a message to Judith Collins and the National Cabinet - just get on with considering David Bain's compensation deal!

The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut was truly tragic. Many of the kids slain there were the same age as my Australian-based nieces and nephew now are.

I was fortunate to meet Sir Patrick Moore, who died on Sunday at the age of 89. I met him on his first (and perhaps only) visit to New Zealand in around 1997 or 1998.

Prank calls have become the staple of radio stations the world over.

This week New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters acted tough with his expulsion of Brendan Horan from that party's caucus. This followed allegations that Horan had misused money from his late lottery millionaire mother's bank account.

Yesterday's West Auckland tornado came at a time when National is pursuing a rightwards drift in its climate change policies.

And, ironically, it struck inside the heart of John Key's Helensville electorate.

 Congratulations to Kate and Wills on their first baby. The news of their pregnancy sent great joy throughout the world at a very gloomy time - or that's what the media will have you believe!