(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
This weekend marks the end of the Abbott Government's first year in power - and it's a natural time for reflecting on how it's fared.
On the domestic front, the Government's tough budget has haunted Prime Minister Tony Abbott ever since it was released in May.
But as Thea Cowie reports, on the international stage, some say Mr Abbott has handled himself well, perhaps surprising even him.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
"In three years' time, the carbon tax will be gone (cheering), the boats will be stopped (cheering), the budget will be on track for a believable surplus (cheering), and the roads of the 21st Century will finally be well under way (cheering). And from today, I declare that Australia is under new management and that Australia is, once more, open for business."
But the business of actually governing has been less rapturous applause and more hard work.
In its first year, the Abbott Government has delivered on more than a dozen election promises.
The business of people smuggling has taken a hit, and the boats have all but stopped.
Only one venture has resulted in asylum seekers being transferred to Australian immigration authorities this year.
The Government has been on shakier ground with its offshore detention practices, though, ever since deadly riots on Manus Island.
The Government has abolished the carbon tax, held a commission of audit and reduced regulative burdens.
It has made Indigenous affairs a key part of the Prime Minister's portfolio and held two royal commissions.
But the icing on the first birthday cake has been sealing a deal with the Senate crossbenchers to repeal the mining tax.
"The Senate has just repealed the mining tax. (hear, hear ...) The mining tax has now gone. (hear, hear ...) We went to two elections promising to get rid of that insidious tax."
Much of the Abbott Government's legislative agenda was put on hold for more than six months, awaiting the swearing in of a less hostile Senate.
But the Palmer United Party dominated crossbench has not made things much easier.
And these pre-election words have since been used against the Prime Minister.
"There will not be a minority government led by me. There will not be deals done with independents and minor parties under any political movement that I lead."
And more negotiation will be needed if the Government is to pass key budget measures like the GP co-payment, university deregulation and cuts to welfare.
If passed, some of those measures could constitute breaches of election promises.
"No cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST, and no cuts to the ABC or SBS."
The Abbott Government has made cuts to public broadcasters, closed Medicare Locals, made changes to superannuation and introduced tax increases.
Year One has not been without gaffes either.
There was Treasurer Joe Hockey caught on camera smoking a cigar and dancing to the song "Best Day of My Life" before handing down his harsh budget.
And he later faced heavy criticism for this comment on the fuel excise.
"The Labor Party and the Greens are opposing it. They say you've got to have wealthier people, or middle-income people, pay more. Well, the change to the fuel excise does exactly that. The poorest people either don't have cars or actually don't drive very far in many cases."
Tony Abbott sparked controversy when he was caught on camera winking while taking a talkback radio call from a sex line worker.
And there was George Brandis's comment on proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.
"People do have a right to be bigots, you know. In a free country, people do have rights to say things that other people find offensive or insulting or bigoted. Nevertheless, Senator (Nova) Peris, may I point out to you that Section 18C, in its current form, does not prohibit racial vilification."
The proposed changes have since been dropped - another election promise breach.
But while success on the domestic front has been mixed, on the world stage, Mr Abbott has clearly shone.
That comes in spite of Labor and the Greens warning he would be an international embarrassment.
Mr Abbott, himself, showed disinterest for foreign affairs in Opposition.
But as prime minister, he has equalled the globe-trotting record of his predecessor, Kevin Rudd, visiting more than 20 countries in his first 12 months.
And he has managed the seemingly impossible - strengthening relationships with South Korea, Japan and China simultaneously.
Trade agreements with Japan and South Korea have been secured, and a deal with China is on the way.
And Mr Abbott has overseen Australia and Japan starting an unprecedented defence and security partnership, as Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe observed.
"Japan and Australia will finally use our relationship of trust, which has stood up through the trials of history, in our cooperation in the area of security. Australia and Japan have now freed ourselves from one old layer and are now moving toward a new, special relationship."
The relationship with Indonesia was an early casualty, with the 2009 spying scandal coming to light and tensions over boat towbacks.
But as Mr Abbott's first year wraps up, a new code of conduct has been agreed on, and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natelagawa seems satisfied.
"I have every confidence -- and, here, I am speaking personally and officially as well -- that Indonesia-Australia relations will get back to where it has been. And not only is it going to be back where it has been, but, as a matter of fact, it will be even more enhanced in the future in front of us."
Mr Abbott has also proven to be calm in a crisis.
He was ahead of the pack with his condemnation of Russia over the MH17 tragedy and has been similarly uncompromising on the "pure evil" of the Islamic State.
His tough stance on returning fighters has earned him the support of the electorate.
So as Year One comes to a close, despite the Government's problems at home, Labor only holds a narrow lead over the Coalition in the latest Newspoll.
But with one year down and two to go before the poll that really counts, Mr Abbott is well aware he has plenty of hard work ahead.
"We've made a very, very good start. But there is so much more to do, and that's what we'll be doing over the next two years. So we're repairing the budget, we're building the roads, we're ending the waste, we're protecting the vulnerable, and we're building a strong and safe Australia."
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