Misplaced and frayed political loyalties took centre stage again this week as Malcolm Turnbull held dutifully to his under-siege Special Minister of State Mal Brough, while being blindsided by the defection of Ian Macfarlane, a longtime supporter, to the Nationals.
Stephen Parker and Michelle Grattan examine the mercurial consequences of loyalty, noting Tony Abbott’s excessive fealty to Bronwyn Bishop and his chief-of-staff Peta Credlin and its inevitable cost.