Anthony Albanese appeared untouchable in November, when Canberra was consumed by conversations about the Coalition’s internal feuds. But the political environment feels markedly different now.

Earlier this month, Albanese’s judgment was called into question as he let an expenses saga run for more than a week before reluctantly seeking advice on family travel perks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday.Credit: Getty Images

Four Labor MPs, speaking to this masthead on the proviso they were not named, said Albanese had reacted in a clumsy, uninspired and slightly stubborn manner after the Bondi terror attack and during the Anika Wells blow-up, recalling memories of the rockier periods of his first term when Labor feared it might lose office.

“There’s a sense he’s been treated unfairly by some sections of the media after Bondi, but it’s pretty obvious his leadership has been lacking and the Jewish community isn’t listening to him,” one MP said.

A summer Albanese hoped would be spent at the cricket and the tennis will now be dominated by the fallout from Sunday’s terrorist attack. Nobody can know yet if the government’s disastrous December will be seen in the polls, but the atmosphere has changed and the Albanese........

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