Dead Men Talking move frontstage to steal parliamentary show

What was billed as a parliamentary version of Dead Men Walking turned into a lively episode of Dead Men Talking.

What was billed as a parliamentary version of Dead Men Walking, with Joe Hockey, Kevin Andrews, Peter Dutton and Eric Abetz (in the Senate) all lined up for ministerial execution on Monday, turned into a lively episode of Dead Men Talking.

Instead of rolling over in question time, perhaps their last on the frontbench, the four ministers came out punching.

With nothing to lose, with a burden lifted from their shoulders and a determination to go out fighting, they provided lively support for the new Prime Minister and no easy victory for Labor.

The Treasurer, with his wife, Melissa, in town, took out some insurance by planning to make a statement at the end of question time yesterday after four days of Labor scorn over Malcolm Turnbull’s condemnation of his economic performance.

Mr Hockey, who wanted to get out some improved final figures for his budget legacy showing a $3 billion improvement in the deficit, has also released a flurry of initiatives and announcements in what are probably his last days as Treasurer.

When asked about Mr Turnbull’s criticism of his economic management, Mr Hockey hit back at Labor and remained unbowed even as Labor MPs ­raucously counted down the clock for his last question.

Despite ill-founded calls for him to resign immediately — Mr Turnbull asked all ministers to stay on until next week and provide continuity of government — Mr Hockey produced some of his best showmanship at the end of his “Swannie Song”.

The immigration and defence ministers likewise took on the common enemy rather than take a shot at the man who toppled their long-term friend and ­protector, with Mr Dutton hammering the Coalition’s advantage in stopping the boats and lampooning the union campaign against the China free-trade agreement.

Mr Andrews just ignored the barbs in Labor’s questions, which actually came from his criticism of Mr Turnbull before the leadership ballot, and continued to give the opposition his traditional both barrels.

In the Senate, a more reflective Employment Minister, when asked by Labor senator Kim Carr whether it was his last question time as Senate leader and as minister, said: “What happens next nobody knows, and we’ll find out in due course.

“But one thing I was taught by my parents, Mr President, is to take one day at a time and it has been an absolute privilege and continues to be a privilege to be of service to the people of Australia in whatever capacity I might be called upon to serve them.”

On Tuesday, Senator Abetz made it clear he ­accepted the new regime.

“The king is dead, long live the king,” he told the Senate.