THE Liberals came out of the blocks in Election 2016 supremely confident that PM Malcolm Turnbull and his Coalition team will pip Labor at the post.

“Malcolm has his mojo back,” they cried. But as Donald Trump’s America showed, elections are full of surprises. Six months ago no one gave Donald the slightest chance to become the Republican nominee. Now the question is, will he defeat Hillary Clinton? US ambassador John Berry must be having at least the occasional nightmare.

AFTER weeks of eager anticipation, Scott Morrison’s Budget was about as “ho-hum” as they come. A nip here, a tuck there, and back to business as usual. Truth is, Malcolm wants to announce the election “goodies” himself during the campaign; so he’s squirrelled away $1.6 billion to do just that.
By contrast, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten let it all hang out in his reply. But while the content was unexceptionable, as an orator Bill has a tin ear and the delivery fell flat despite the Labor cheer squad in the public galleries. Several times a very uncomfortable Speaker Tony Smith seemed about to intervene; and he should do so before the rowdies get out of hand.

THE “efficiency dividend” that will cut 28 jobs from the National Library undermines the operations of one of the most vital research organisations in the capital. The NLA is a treasure trove for all Australians. However, since most of the researchers are local, perhaps there’s a case for the ACT government to fund at least some of the “lost” positions.

LITTLE noticed was yet another foreign aid cut – of $224 million – to a record low of 0.22 per cent of GNP. Add the international criticism of our asylum-seeker policy and you have to wonder whether either government or opposition give a tinker’s cuss about Australia’s reputation. And when a second Muslim refugee on Nauru self-immolated there was barely a squeak from the community. Maybe the Trump infection is spreading Down Under.

MUCH ado about the changes to the ACT planning regime including some excellent ideas for the rejuvenation of the Parliamentary Triangle. But they triggered a serious clash between Lib Senator Zed Seselja who wants to expand Tuggeranong endlessly over the Murrumbidgee while the Barr-Rattenbury government sees Canberra’s future as more “compact and sustainable”. It’s a debate that could well dominate the local election.

AN insight into the infamous “boy-in-the-cage” imbroglio reached Seven Days when we learned that the boy and his parents actually helped to design it. The enclosure contained a comfy chair and a mat and the boy himself asked to use it. Then-Education Minister Joy Burch wanted to protect the family and school from unwanted publicity, but she handled it badly and the poor school principal became the scapegoat.

SPEAKING of poor judgements, Tony Abbott’s handling of Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s helicopter scandal will, it seems, return to bite him on the bum. Bronny gave notice in her farewell speech that “there’s much more to the saga than meets the eye, but not for now”. She is, of course, trailing her coat for a big publisher’s advance on her memoir but honestly, Bronny, do we really care?

robert@robertmacklin.com