The biggest movers in political coverage of late are ALP rising star and Justice Minister Jason Clare and Sports Minister Kate Lundy following the release of the Australian Crime Commission report into drugs in sport, itself the biggest media issue in the country last week.

Incredibly, moving into third place is MP Kevin Rudd for pointing the finger at Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan over the mining tax, to the joy of the federal opposition. K-Rudd says the tax is their problem to fix. It’s not a long bow to draw to suggest that he is on the campaign trail again — and that all it took was two bad weeks for the government before he unfurled his banner. All of which makes Opposition Leader Tony Abbott a lucky man.

Environment Minister Tony Burke tried to soften Rudd’s comments saying the former PM’s contribution to the mining tax debate was not ”necessarily unhelpful”. Ahem. Burke himself attracted headlines by approving a large area of NSW for coal seam gas projects, including the controversial Whitehaven mine near Narrabri. This, of course, came in the same week he copped flack for having been a guest at Eddie Obeid’s ski chalet.

Also heading north on this week’s chart are Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten with reforms to workplace bullying, and Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop who spent much of the past week in the media. Indeed with Tony Abbott pulling the pin on his Today show appearances, Bishop may take up the offer.

Crikey Political Index: February 7-13

Talkback callers chimed in on Tony Windsor’s comments about coal seam gas projects in NSW this week, and discussed Tony Abbott’s decision to opt out of his Today spot.

Talkback top five

With an impending election in WA, Premier Colin Barnett notably missed our top 20 for mainstream media coverage but made our social media chart as the subject of tweets about polling showing Opposition Leader Mark McGowan at 74% being in touch with voters, to Barnett 57%. Other social media included readers of Perth Now commenting on Barnett’s plans to tighten gambling laws.

Social media top five

Gotye won a hat-trick at the Grammys with best alternative album for Making Mirrors, best pop duo/performance for song Somebody That I Used to Know and record of the year for the same song. The last time an Australian won record of the year for the best hit song was 1975 when Olivia Newton-John won with I Honestly Love You.

Comparison on media mentions