At the end of a week that saw the unemployment rate rise to 6.3 per cent and the Reserve Bank shave 25 points or so off the budget's growth forecast for this year – not to mention more bad opinion polls for the government, speculation resurfacing about the Liberal leadership, and the lingering stench of politicians' entitlements – Treasurer Joe Hockey called a media conference on Saturday.

Did the Treasurer feel an urge to address the nation on the unemployment rise, or how an economic growth downgrade would affect deficit reduction, or anything at all really about the Australian economy?

No, the media conference was to talk about six homes that will have to be sold some time in the next 12 months because their owners volunteered to the government that they had not complied or no longer complied with Australia's foreign investment rules. Yes, the six homes are owned by foreigners.

Saturday, except for the sport, was a quiet day – therefore perhaps a good day to whip up a little distraction to get the minds off all that other stuff.