Return to joy

The atmosphere in the Liberal partyroom yesterday was a far cry from the surliness of the Sydney Sofitel.

Smile and the whole world, give or take, smiles with you: Eric Abetz, centre, yesterday. Picture: AAP

As Malcolm Turnbull breezed into the partyroom in Parliament House yesterday, it all seemed such a long way from the thinly populated surliness of the Sydney Sofitel. And the PM — who joins Clive Palmer in the exclusive club of pollies who’ve injected their parties with a serious pile of their own coin — was ready with a line to shrug off some responsibility for how the election panned out. To wit: “There has been a lot written about all of us but this election was not about us.” A fine, thumbnail portrait of the Liberals’ broad church was provided with the image of Cory Bernardi filling an armchair beneath a framed photograph of Turnbull. But the happiest clapper in the room was probably Eric Abetz, pictured here in all his festive glory. But it wasn’t all happiness in Abetz-land. Later in the day the good senator issued this statement: “While it is disappointing that there will be no Tasmanian minister, the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team will continue to be vocal representatives within the government to deliver for our state.” Of course Tasmania did have someone in the ministry — hello Richard Colbeck — but the Tassie Libs decided in their collective wisdom to give him the fifth slot on the Senate ticket. Colbeck, who remains in electoral limbo while the counting goes on, was left to express his own disappointment. Abetz, in contrast, got the No 1 slot. Which brings us back to his facial expression in the photo.

Moving forward

Still pumped but prudently steering clear of “most exciting times”, Turnbull went on to give a press conference in which the word deliver (and iterations thereof) made 13 appearances. There was a lament of striking efficiency for the fallen (Wyatt Roy and Peter Hendy), a reassurance for the army of Paul Fletcher fans that their man remains firmly in the picture, and some fun moments of what in business terms might be called vertical integration, namely Josh Frydenberg scoring the energy and environment portfolios in one happy showbag.

Bruce-shaped hole

The day also provided further confirmation of Strewth’s belief former small business minister Bruce Billson was not just a man but an energetic multitude contained within a single suit, and that to replace him would require another multitude.

Journo: “Why have you then taken out the small business minister from cabinet?”

Turnbull: “Every minister is a minister for small business.”

Certain qualities

How to semi-answer a question.

Journo: “How can Labor support Kevin Rudd when he’s been described within his own party as being a megalomaniac? Is that someone that you actually want running the United Nations?”

Bill Shorten: “Well, I do think Mr Rudd is suitably qualified from his experiences in government and on the international stage. I think this is a marvellous opportunity for Australians to have an Australian in the United Nations in a senior position.”

Former NSW premier turned Sky News presenter Kristina Keneally (who also co-starred in one of Rudd’s most awkward TV appearances) rounded out the day by nominating her labrador Molly for the UN gig instead.

Everyone’s a winner

With only eight votes separating them and a recount required, maybe Ewen Jones (LNP) and Cathy O’Toole (Labor) should try out a timeshare agreement and take turns being the member for Herbert. Just a thought.

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