‘Attack Angus’ ploy energises ALP as Morrison magic goes missing

Scott Morrison declares Gladys Liu the winner after the newly elected Liberal MP delivered her maiden speech in the House of Representatives yesterday. Picture: Kym Smith

Anthony Albanese had a realisation recently. During his 23 years in federal parliament, he couldn’t recall a question time where the opposition went after a single minister. And thus, Attack Angus Taylor Tuesday (TM) was born.

“You’ve worked out Angus is the weakest link, well done,” a few Liberal backbenchers noted sarcastically when Labor’s strategy became apparent.

Not only did Albanese’s plan fit the Labor leader’s directive to his caucus colleagues that it was important to not be predictable, there was also a second, less obvious, benefit — it kept Scott Morrison from getting his 10-second sound bite on the nightly news.

Be patient and play the long game, Albanese told MPs yesterday. So that’s exactly what they did. One by one, Labor politicians took their turn badgering Taylor.

First on greenhouse gas ­emissions.

Minister for Energy Angus Taylor during question time. Picture: AAP

“It is true, Mr Speaker, from year to year and quarter to quarter, emissions go up and down. That is what happens,” Taylor declared as the Prime Minister watched on, rubbing his chin.

Next up — how did he feel about Coalition backbenchers’ calls for nuclear power plants?

“We always approach these things with an open mind,” Taylor admitted as Labor clapped and cheered “Great work Angus, well done, fantastic!” and Morrison spun restlessly in his wheelie chair.

Finally, Labor asked about that meeting regarding those endangered grasslands.

“This is a grubby smear from those opposite,” Taylor spluttered by question 10.

“A lot of questions about water in question time today and we’ve quickly seen Angus Taylor turn to water,” Labor MP for Moreton Graham Perrett tweeted, as notes were furiously being passed down the frontbench to the sweating Minister.

Colour him bemused: Labor leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: AAP

But what of Morrison? The one-man band? The leader of the Quiet Australians?

“I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper and I would invite the opposition to ask me a question tomorrow. You didn’t do that today,” he declared at 3.10pm.

“How much of a sook is Scott!” Labor backbencher Ed Husic declared, but Morrison was already halfway out the chamber.

Not even the claim by Bob Katter that Morrison was the ­“modern-day Moses” and Albanese “Tutankhamun” brought a smile to the Prime Minister’s face.

His frustrations were also apparent during the 45-minute joint partyroom meeting yesterday morning, where he tried to control his troops. One Liberal backbencher said the look on the PM’s face was best described as “what the f..k” when newly elected Queensland senator Gerard Rennick stood up and said anyone in the room who was friends with Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop needed to tell them to stop taking jobs that were impossible to ­defend.

Some Coalition MPs agreed the Morrison magic just wasn’t there yesterday. Maybe it will be back next week, they pondered.