As we finished 2023, plenty of pundits were lining up to write off Anthony Albanese and his Labor government. They cited the failure of the Voice to parliament referendum, in which the prime minister had invested a lot of time and political capital, as well as the choking cost of living and the perceived absence of a clear policy lifeline. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton ended the year with a noticeable spring in his step.

But how quickly things can change. And what a difference a bit of sun, cricket and a controversial change in tax policy can make to the fortunes and confidence of the government, and more importantly, to the prime minister. Albanese loves parliament, he is a creature of it, and we saw again last week that he’s never stronger than when he’s got something to argue for and an opponent to fight against.