PM’s trying times

THROUGHOUT her career, Margaret Thatcher was fond of saying: “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you tell people you are, you aren’t.”

It would be worth Malcolm Turnbull’s while sparing a moment to reflect on what the Iron Lady was suggesting.

At several press conferences at the weekend as he toured South-East Asia, the Prime Minister was keen to reiterate that his government back home was stable.

Somehow, even he did not seem totally convinced.

Two by-elections caused by Canberra’s cross-party citizenship fiasco will be held before Christmas.

The citizenship status of tennis star John Alexander has triggered a by-election in his Sydney constituency of Bennelong.

He follows on from National Party leader Barnaby Joyce, whose Kiwi connections have led to a by-election in his New England electorate on December 2.

Without Mr Joyce and Mr Alexander in the House of Representatives, the Government has 73 votes on the floor of the House, with Liberal MP Tony Smith presiding as Speaker.

Fortunately for the Prime Minister, the Government stitched up a confidence and Supply deal with the crossbenchers following the knife-edge 2016 federal election.

Full credit should be given to Mr Alexander for not prolonging the inevitable.

Several Labor MPs have citizenship question marks having over their heads and should follow Mr Alexander’s example.

In the minds of many Australians, the citizenship saga has confirmed their worst suspicions about the major party leaders.

The PM’s narrative has been muddled and lacking focus. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has been sly and conniving.

By-elections are unwelcome distractions for majority governments.

For wobbly administrations such as this Government, the upcoming two by-elections are potentially fatal.