SA Libs build a Pyne box for top minister with loyalty under the spotlight

Christopher Pyne meets Britain’s defence minister. The Liberal frontbencher on Twitter, yesterday:

Great to catch up again with UK Secretary of State for Defence Sir Michael Fallon in London today …

Twenty-eight minutes later, Pyne’s mate quits. Jacquelin Magnay in The Australian online, yesterday:

Sir Michael’s resignation follows a series of sex-pest allegations made by Westminster staff against various politicians … He had been accused of placing his hand repeatedly on the knee of a broadcaster …

But Pyne has bigger problems than losing his buddy, Fallon. Joe Kelly reports for The Australian, yesterday:

South Australian Liberals are pushing for an investigation into senior Turnbull government minister Christopher Pyne amid allegations he tried to undermine Liberal MP Tony Pasin at the 2013 election.

Pyne is disloyal? Nah, you’re pulling our leg. The Defence Industry Minister speaking at the “Black Hand” Liberal left dinner, Sydney’s Cherry Bar, June 23:

George (Brandis) and I kept the faith. We voted for Malcolm Turnbull in every ballot he’s ever been in.

Peta Credlin on Sky News, Wednesday night:

I freely admit … I was duped by Christopher that when Tony got the leadership in 2009 that Christopher would be loyal to the team.

On the other side of politics, this headline would suggest senator Kimberley Kitching is causing Labor some heartburn. Melbourne’s The Age, yesterday:

Backbencher spent more on flights than most ministers.

But then you read the thing and it says something very different. Eryk Bagshaw and Adam Gartrell in The Age, yesterday:

Labor backbencher Kimberley Kitching has fast become one of the hardest working members of parliament.

“Hardest working”? Did they mean to write “highest spending”? The Age, continued:

… spending $20,000 on domestic flights while jetting between committee meetings in her first three months of office …

Imagine turning a story about travel expenses into a pro-Labor puff piece? Well done, Fairfax. The Age, continued:

In a sign of her rising influence in the parliamentary Labor Party …

Talking of domestic travel, The New York Times’ Australian bureau reports on the new ban on climbers at Uluru, yesterday:

Visitors to Uluru, a giant sandstone slab, in the central Australian desert …

A “giant sandstone slab”? Seriously? The Australian’s Caroline Overington on Twitter, yesterday:

Have you ever seen Uluru described so inelegantly? … It’s a monolith. A wonder.

What’s TheNew York Times’ problem with Australia? They’re so snooty. October 19:

This is still a place where many Australians can buy a novel, sausages and shampoo in three different shops …

Does TheNew York Times hate us? May 30:

NSW stands for New South Wales, the state that includes Sydney

Australia, The New York Times hates us. Oh well. Cynthia Nixon in the US TV hit Sex and the City, July 13, 2003:

He’s just not that into you. Move on.