The removal of generous parliamentary pensions by John Howard in 2004 continues to rankle many in Canberra, who argue it forces yesterday’s political titans to hang around, like a bad odour, shilling their experience and credibility to the highest bidder.

The thinking goes that the most marketable thing most former powerbrokers have going for them is the experiences and connections gleaned in and from public office. So, those unable to secure a cushy statutory appointment are instead gobbled up by lobbying firms, arms contractors or big four consultancies, plying their contacts to their employer’s benefit. Or, even worse, sticking around in parliament, which just makes everyone else around them sad (there but for the grace of God ...).