It's going to take a lot more than the goings-on of the "Canberra bubble" to transform the medivac loss to the Coalition's advantage come election time.
Australian asylum policy has been a 20-year fight to the bottom. Is there finally a turning point in sight?
This parliament has reached a new low in the standards of its politics. But, these days, finding a new low is the norm.
While left and right obsess about asylum seekers, the issue is near irrelevant to most voters. A radical change in circumstances will be needed for it to play a major role in the election.
This medivac bill is forcing a conversation about the purpose and logic of indefinite detention. But will the talk lead to real change?
It goes without saying that the crossbenchers are hugely important for next week's vote on medical evacuations. But where do they stand?