When you get a new job, the best time is often the period between when you get the good news and when you actually start work. That is when all the dreams and possibilities are alive in the imagination and there are no limitations on what could be. Reality hasn't yet set in. Time is flexible and good-will abounds.
It can be like that with a Government. Remember, new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hasn’t yet had to directly deal with the cross-bench as PM, nor steer critical legislation through a sometimes hostile senate. He hasn’t had to stare down angry voters yet, nor cut funds directly to any group.
In short, he hasn’t really started the job of being PM, although he has had some very lovely picture opportunities. Today he sat down with his economic team ready for Thursday’s reform summit. They looked good and ready to go.
His message again today was "this is a time of great opportunity for Australia."
Right now it may well be that public happiness and support for Malcolm Turnbull is at a peak. Can I just remind everyone about Kevin 07 and the excitement that was felt by a significant number of Australians on Kevin Rudd’s election only to end in tears, literally. Back then even many Liberal Party supporters believed it was time for Prime Minister John Howard to depart the political stage.
This is not a pitch to tear down a new leader. Far from it. What I believe is that our expectations these days are unrealistic and as voters we could all benefit from a dose of moderation.
I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but truly I think we need some perspective and we need to look at some political history.
Governing isn't easy, especially these days. The country faces very real social and economic challenges and getting policy change on those that are acceptable to the electorate at large isn't simple. If it was, as a country, we would have done it by now.
The other thing that is helping Malcolm Turnbull today is that he hasn't really done anything other than smile at us and tell us all will be ok. He has had a few public events but essentially since he took over his focus has been on naming the front bench, drawing up a political and policy strategy for coming months, getting new staff in place and working out how he is going to move on certain policies.
He has picked tax, employment and productivity.
Prime Minister Turnbull has been in touch with many interest groups and organisations. The reform summit will be a chance to actually begin the work of Government.
For us voters many of us have been thrilled to hear him say he is going to take our concerns seriously, that he won't lecture or talk in three word slogans. He can talk the talk. We know that. We have all been listening to Malcolm Turnbull for a long time. The questions now is can he walk the walk?
Kevin Rudd couldn't walk the walk but he was very good, even outstanding, at talking the talk.
So PM, we are watching and waiting.
And voters, if the media is febrile, let's admit the public can be as well. Good government, no matter the party, is going to take some listening and patience from us on the sidelines as well. Hopefully we are up to it. We voters can be a toxic lot.
As for that good new job, the most promising time may be before we actually start, but on the other hand, we can only make an impact once we start in that new position. PM, it is time to start.
