Politics rancid for Liberals

THE weight of this constitutional crisis is in Geoff Shaw’s actions.

Shaw has ditched the government and his brawl with former Speaker Ken Smith is at the heart of that decision.

Shaw’s move to back any no-confidence motion moved by Labor puts the ball firmly in Opposition Leader Daniel Andrew’s court.

On the available evidence last night, that motion — if moved — would succeed, therefore triggering a complex constitutional puzzle that would likely lead to an early general election.

The politics are rancid for Premier Denis Napthine.

The 3½ years of Coalition rule have been marked by two things.

First, competent financial management.

And, second, a circus of instability characterised by last night’s developments.

The Coalition has already lost a premier in Ted Baillieu and now it is on the brink of losing government.

Labor last night was weighing up its options.

While it has been basking in the political heat of the Abbott government’s budget, it knows this anger will subside.

The Napthine budget was strong, and it has a stronger policy story to sell.

For these reasons, Andrews will be sorely tempted to seize the initiative and force an early poll.