What counts as ancient history: last weekend or six years ago?
The definition depends on which federal minister you ask about events that spilt the Liberal Party this week and led to the toppling of leader Tony Abbott and the elevation of Malcolm Turnbull.
Attorney-General George Brandis on Wednesday dismissed criticism of Mr Turnbull's previous performance as Liberal leader in opposition, which ended in 2009, as "ancient history".
The two greatest Liberal prime ministers - Sir Robert Menzies and John Howard - were failures the first time around, he argued.
"We all change in this business," Senator Brandis told ABC radio.
But Finance Minister Mathias Cormann had a different definition of ancient history.
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop revealed on Tuesday night she knew Mr Turnbull was planning to challenge Mr Abbott "in the days beforehand".
Challenged whether she should have let Mr Abbott know sooner than lunchtime on Monday, Ms Bishop told Network 10 she had let him know as soon as possible once she had confirmation.
"All of this is now ancient history," Senator Cormann told reporters on Wednesday when asked about the events of the previous few days.
"All of us now have to put the past behind us and we've got to look forward to being the best government we can be."
Ms Bishop believed Australians would have been well aware of disquiet with Mr Abbott's leadership after a very public airing of grievances in February.
She didn't think the change of leadership would have come as a surprise to anyone, given Mr Abbott had asked for six months but made no headway in the polls.
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