As the Morrison Government stumbles from fumble to bungle on a daily basis, Labor Leader Bill Shorten is keeping a low profile.
Would this not be his turn to shine, or is he just biding his time?
I am no fan of either of the big parties or rather of the role that party politics plays in distancing democracy from its purpose — which is representative government of the people.
The parties as custodians of democracy have failed. However, the prospect of a hung Parliament with a group of sensible Independents holding the balance of power may just be the start of a change for the better.
I recently pleaded with Bill Shorten not to gloat over the Coalition's loss in the Wentworth by-election. I commend him for avoiding that temptation. But since then he has avoided publicity beyond some policy announcements on social media. He and Tanya Plibersek even chose to do a live Q&A on Facebook, instead of seeking a major media opportunity.
With only two weeks left of Parliament sitting this year (three for the Senate) breaking his self-enforced vipassana, there is every likelihood that Shorten's low-key approach will continue until closer to the 2019 Federal Election. One can only hope that the introspection leads to divine policy announcements when the time comes.
But I fear that the reason behind the strategy is neither a sign of magnanimity nor meditation practice.
Resisting the calls for an election now is probably just good politics in the minds of the Labor strategists. They may well be right, but the six months or so until the likely next election is an eternity in politics, so much can change.
Maybe the Labor Party-room is only too aware that Shorten doesn't resonate with voters beyond the Labor die-hards. Despite the shambles of the Morrison Government so far, Shorten still trails Morrison as the preferred prime minister by eight per cent, according to the latest Newspoll.
I call on the real Bill Shorten to stand up. I call on the Labor Party to take the lead and announce how they will address the issues voters care about. To go beyond party political tactical considerations and announce substantial policies on combating climate change, end the travesty of our border protection policies and show that Labor's pronouncements of governing for all Australians are not just words, but a credo by which he is prepared to stand.
Former PM Tony Abbott got into government back in 2013 without having to announce much in the way of policies as the then Labor Government had shot itself in the foot with a cannon. The rest is history, but the lessons should not be ignored.
Instead, ignore the shrill voices from a Government with its back to the wall. Ignore the inevitable scaremongering, ignore the half-truths of campaign slogans, rise above the petulance of personality politics, heed the calls for transparency and don't shirk the difficult issues that risk popularity in the face of solid policy-making.
Voters want not just a change of government but a government that acts. Will the real Bill Shorten either stand up now or step aside for someone that will?
Kim Wingerei is a former businessman turned writer and commentator. You can follow him on Twitter @kwingerei.
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