Julie Bishop
Bishop’s seen (off) her
shareofPMs.Thoughit’s
her standing within the
Liberal Party that can’t
be challenged – generally
well regarded (for those
who can look beyond her
forgettable tenure as
shadow treasurer that
lastedalloffivemonths)as
apolishedandfirmforeign
affairs minister who
pulls no punches on the
international stage
andalsopollspublicly
asapreferredleader
after Turnbull.
Martin
Parkinson
The countr ’s
most senior public
servant as boss
of the Department
of PM and Cabinet.
Parkinson’s a
former Treasur
secretar known
for bein strai ht
up and respected
b Turnbull.
Harold Mitchell
The man has influence.
Well, he did fly Shorten
around the Pacific islands
on a private jet back in 2015,
to discuss climate change.
The jokes write themselves.
Tony Burke
A large figure in the Labor’s
NSW right faction and also
in that queue of possible
future leaders. A chief
Parliamentary strategist
for the Opposition and one
of its strongest performers.
Barnaby Joyce
If only he’d left his hat (and pants) on. Still, for all the fallout over his
rather tawdry relationship and baby with staffer Vikki Campion, Joyce
remains a man who walks with the pep of someone with an Ennio
Morricone score playing at his back. He’s been through the bad and
the incredibly ugly – but some good still lies ahead, should he want it
(and he does). Because Barnaby’s still extremely well liked by the Nats
and those Australians who don’t live in Surry Hills. The general idiocy
of Michael McCormack also helps the former Deputy PM maintain
some sway and some swagger.
Penny Wong
She’s increasingly
international and the
welcome antidote to the
mustiness Canberra.
One of most astute, and
respected, intellects
on The Hill. She’s ready,
too, for foreign affairs
this time next year once
Shorten moves on.
Graham
Richardson
The original fixer and
a man still very much
alive and kicking – even
if there’s only about half
of him left after a recent
operation. Not as powerful
as he once was, but still
very well-connected,
incredibly smart and
with a very handy - and
persuasive - platform
in The Australian to
dictate public policy
and political strategy
when he chooses.
Mathias
Cormann
The West Aussie by way
of Belgium, Cormann’s
rather rapid federal rise
speaks of his standing
in and around Red Hill.
A sometimes acting
PM, he’s another key
Turnbull ally who has
had his loyalty returned
in position and in power.
A known negotiator,
particularly useful in
sorting out the mess
that is the crossbench.