Morrison is tactically quicker than Turnbull, just as in his messaging he can cut through more sharply. He’s more attuned to the emotional and knee-jerk drivers of today’s politics.
The Greens will try to move a no confidence motion against the home affairs minister, but the numbers are not there for it to succeed - proving government members are united.
Another hectic week in federal politics saw the government change the age of pension eligibility, Julie Bishop arguing for more women in parliament, and the Peter Dutton au pair story continuing to bubble along.
It’s hard to fault Morrison’s first fortnight, if you can get past his description of events that tore down a PM as “that Muppet Show”, and swallow any cynicism about his careful choreography.
A Senate committee is inquiring into Dutton’s use of his ministerial discretion over visas. He overrode advice from officials when he granted visas to two au pairs who had been detained.
Australia’s Migration Act allows for ministerial discretion in cases such as the controversial granting of tourist visas to four au pairs - but there remain questions around responsible government.
A whistleblower has leaked to Labor an email trail of correspondence showing how Dutton rejected advice from Australian Border Force, granting a visa in 2015 to French au pair Alexandra Deuwel.