Early on Tuesday afternoon, just after the weekly cabinet meeting finished, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles was strolling through an otherwise empty Parliament House with an old friend, giving him the Cook’s tour.

As he pointed out the bank, the cafe, the gym and all the other hidden wonders, Marles’ demeanour encapsulated perfectly the ennui that had filled the place following Anthony Albanese’s decision – some would say premature – to call off the April 12 election because of heavy rain in Queensland and NSW.