Peter Dutton finished the 2023 parliamentary sittings in a political ascendancy over Anthony Albanese that was so complete, the Opposition Leader actually delivered a better annual Christmas message than the Prime Minister.
It’s a harsh call but true because the Christmas valedictory messages – known as the Christmas hypocriticals to some hardened politicians – is a chance for some good humour and cheer as well as an opportunity to raise the spirits of MPs who may be feeling beleaguered.
Thursday’s final House of Representatives parliamentary question time was a missed opportunity for Albanese and the Labor government as they went through the motions of casting a few barbs towards Dutton, but failing utterly to provide any end-of-year boost to morale and momentum.
Instead of the traditional rousing prime ministerial flourish at the end of the parliamentary year designed to lift political spirits and assert authority, Albanese’s contribution was flat as his backbenchers appeared disengaged and looking to the exit for the Christmas break.
Even Albanese, who signals his calling an end to question time by packing up his folders, was neatly stowed at exactly 3.10pm – the earliest he can call off questions in normal circumstances.
After two months of punishing defeats, mistakes and diverting events it is understandable that the Labor government is despondent and collectively depressed, realising it faces enormous challenges to restore public confidence and assert itself over the Coalition.
But in the last face-to-face opportunity for Albanese get one over Dutton the PM was found wanting with flat presentations, looking tired and without enthusiasm.
On the back foot, once again, because of the High Court’s ruling to release immigration detainees and the arrest of the fifth detainee on criminal charges, Albanese tried to quell the furore over the furious response of the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, to the suggestion he should apologise to the victim of a sexual assault by declaring that the behaviour was below acceptable standards.
Albanese even said he was “sorry” when anyone, anywhere was the victim of an assault.
But the ongoing saga of released criminals could not be put aside or lift Labor’s political burden. Some desultory attacks on Dutton’s record as health minister or his opposition to bulk billing and Medicare went nowhere.
Even the Prime Minister’s final answer of the year, with a complete list of Labor’s policies designed to cut the cost-of-living, had all the impact of reading a laundry list as some Labor MPs used computers, mobile phones or wrote Christmas cards.
Albanese’s Christmas message seemed to lack a focus and life while Dutton’s was composed, had a checklist of thanks and even mentioned Christianity.
After the Christmas messages Albanese left the chamber unaccompanied. A government is in the doldrums when it loses the Christmas valedictories.
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