Theo Chapman is assistant editor at The Interpreter.
- Jasmin Hill reports that the MV Blue Marlin has arrived in Port Phillip Bay carrying the hull of the new LHD amphibious ship HMAS Canberra (pictured). In an interesting side note, this is not the first naval ship the MV Blue Martin has transported: it took USS Cole home after it was bombed in Aden Harbour in October 2000. Let's hope a better fate awaits the new Australian ship
- Australia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2013-2014 has attracted much debate. Less attention has been paid to the important question of Australia's contribution to the Security Council if it is elected. The Australian Institute for International Affairs has a paper on what we'll do on the UNSC if we win. (Thanks Graeme)
- Question posed to two women running for US senate during debate: 'Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey?' (Thanks Michael)
- Budget Smuggler is an online poll run by philanthropically-funded online newspaper The Global Mail, which asks readers to allocate federal government funds as they think they should be apportioned. (Thanks Jerry)
- The Overseas Development Institute in London has launched a new blog on 'the nexus between governance, public finance, aid and building resilience in fragile states'.