Burke finds his moral compass

With Labor friends like Brian Burke, the twice-jailed former West Australian Labor premier, who needs enemies? But in politics, as in life, it is possible to be both a rogue and sometimes right.

As usual, Mr Burke has resurfaced at an awkward time both for incumbent WA Labor Premier Roger Cook, who faces an election within weeks, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who must hold on to WA seats won at the last election.

Mr Burke’s verdict is that Labor, federally, is rudderless and shambolic. “There have been so many mistakes that it’s hard to rank them,” Mr Burke told our WA bureau chief, Paige Taylor.

When in government, no one could accuse Mr Burke of lacking leadership authority.

And his many criticisms of the Albanese government include its dreadful performance on the Middle East, where the former premier said there had been a terrible lack of consistent, cogent and decisive leadership, including the proper policing of racist and religious attacks.

A one-time ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See, Mr Burke has got his moral compass correctly calibrated on this point.

And his other political judgment: “Those who label Peter Dutton unelectable do so at their peril.”