It’s very noticeable that no other well known person has stepped up to run the ARM, but the republican cause will gain momentum again when the time is right. I agree with Malcolm (and Bob Hawke) that that time is at the end of the current Queen’s reign. By then as well as the monarchy losing a lot of popularity, also a lot of monarchists will have died.

Malcolm has done very well being a successful person despite the abandonment by his mother. A lot of people would have been totally crushed by that.

Malcolm has not already gone. Let’s hope he will be Australia’s answer to David Cameron in the UK and John Keys in New Zealand.

It’s Rumpole, it’s SpyCatcher etc etc. If Turnbull is beaten already then I will eat my cabbage hat. Rather I think he’s got back from such positions many times. In fact expects the grind. For instance if as Crabb says “events” turned the case into a “rogue elephant” then it may well be events will again.

Litigation is about living with cruel uncertainty without blowing a gasket.

Another thing too - Turnbull is a technology nut after Ozemail. Methinks he understands the vagaries of email well enough.

Malcolm Turnbull was a disaster just waiting for an excuse to stuff up. As someone wrote in the SMH today - ‘I bet Costello wishes he’d waited just a couple of more days?’
Whenever there’s a ‘crime’ committed, the first thing to do is ask who would benefit if it worked? Then, follow the trail and find the culprit. It’s pathetic to think that an adult male could act as stupidly as Turnbull. Truly! How dumb! Also, if you intend telling lies, make sure you have a damned good memory - as you’ll really come undone. That’s the message I gave to my kids anyway. Also, if I find out you’re lying to me (and mothers know these things) you’ll be in more trouble than you can handle - trust me!

What really is annoying me now, is that this is supposedly the last week of Parliament before the little darlings escape the freezing of a fair dinkum Canberra winter. This could be Turnbull’s action to prevent debate on the ETS - better than a fillibuster? Keep everybody, including the media to focus on something else. Very clever Malcolm, except I’m not the only one who’ll twig! I’m surprised our bright boys at the Telegraph haven’t woken up yet, but then I think they’re in it too! I’ll have a bet with someone who’ll give me a name as to the journalist who’ll twig first!

Sophie Mirabella? She could probably lug herself up to stick the finger in the dyke of the party’s leaking opportunities. Indi? Go girl!

Guy,

Given common usage, I’m pretty sure you meant “dike” in the above paragraph. Then again, it could be the basis for a wet dream for downbeat conservative members of the Liberal Party.

Anyway, a “me-too” on this great piece of analysis.

I heard on the news today that Mr Grech used to work for Mr Hockey. Is there any chance that Mr Hockey is a Machievallian genius who waited until Mr Costello resigned to enact his devious plot against Mr Turnball?

As political analysis, it leaves unsaid just what the chances are for a return to real governance in our elected rulers. Perhaps tomorrow…

It is a long way back to remember the Rat’s helping of his brother’s business and its employees after failure. Real money changed hands, not just a fake email and heated words about a rusty old ute.

If Ruddy was loaned a ute during the election campaign, could this be because campaings are supposed to be run using only the resources of the relevant candidate and their party? Presumably, Ruddy’s government car was out of bounds and his neighbour’s offer of a ute thus is seen to be a simple and sraight-forward act of support between mates. I have on many occasions loaned a vehicle to friends, for extended periods of time, and I do not own a car yard.

So, by a process of elimination, it is now virtually certain that Bill Heffernan will become Leader of her Majesty’s Australian Opposition, with Guy Rundle writing speaches for him.

At least he might then lift to sentences of more than a dozen words. I’ve heard enough of his maniacal laugh for a lifetime.