GQ Australia - 08.2018

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.