Knives are out again

HERE we are again with a bad case of political deja-vu.

The fate of an elected Australian Prime Minister once more hangs in the balance — at risk from those in his own ranks.

For much of this year the leadership speculation was around Bill Shorten and the Labor Party. But since the ‘Super Saturday’ byelections that has swung back with a vengeance to the leadership of the Coalition.

Malcolm Turnbull survived the ‘killing season’ of June without leadership speculation reaching a tipping point.

June, you will remember was when Julia Gillard knifed PM Kevin Rudd (2010), and when Mr Rudd got his own back on PM Gillard (2013).

Mr Turnbull got through June and nearly all the way through winter, but not quite.

The public, and parties themselves, have the right to choose their leader. It is rare that a popular leader who is in step with the public and making real achievements is ousted.

There will be many who will throw their hands up in the air at the fact we are back in this position and condemn the whole system. But each of these imploding leaderships have had their genuine faults.

Mr Turnbull has led a government that can be slow to react but generally arrives (late) at sensible policy.

It can be criticised as aloof but it has brought some stability to our national affairs that were turbulent for a decade. (Albeit a stability that now appears to be ending.) With nearly three years in office Mr Turnbull is the longest serving PM in our ‘Little Italy’ since Ms Gillard. (Kevin Rudd Mk II lasted 83 days.)

But there is a view that on the issues where Mr Shorten is potentially vulnerable, Mr Turnbull is not sufficiently rightwing to mount a credible attack. It is tough being a moderate Liberal PM in a polarised electorate. Perhaps it is impossible.

Our system needs to be flexible so that the people can choose the leaders they want.

But with the revolving door of leaders there comes the cost of constant change. A lack of continuity can mean lost opportunities for the nation.