At the end of every year politicians observe a tradition as dear to them as Christmas. While Australians binge on food, drink and sunshine, federal ministers use the cover of the holidays to dump unfavourable news on a presumably uninterested public.

This season was no different. Contentious reports have been released, mines approved, insurance premiums raised and funding cancelled.

Direct action: Greg Hunt. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Abbott government ministers Greg Hunt, Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison have all seemingly partaken in the holiday dump.

"It's practically un-Australian not to do this," said marketer and former Liberal Party consultant Toby Ralph.