Transport Minister Catherine King does not usually do parliamentary attacks, but via a "Dorothy Dixer' on Wednesday about the fuel crisis, she lined up the opposition's cheap tactics.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Login or signup to continue reading

Referring to a resolution to force the Commonwealth to compensate the states for public transport fares, King revealed how the Coalition stunt in the Senate had flamed out when Lib-Nat senators scarpered to avoid voting on their own motion.

"It was, frankly, like watching a game of follow the leader. The only problem was they couldn't decide which leader! There are now more people with 'leader 'in their title in the Coalition than there are women sitting on the frontbench in the House."

King's gibe about chaotic leadership was a fair point and garnered plenty of laughs.

But questions over leadership and tactics can cut both ways.

Households and businesses are less interested in parliamentary theatrics than the triple whammy of inflation, rising interest rates, and the wanton madness of an oil-shock imposed, without prior consultation by our dependable friend.

Indeed, let's be even clearer. The world has been plunged headlong into its worst ever energy crisis by a plainly unfit American president who has spent the last 14 months threatening, tariffing and belittling US allies.

Donald Trump is an agent of harm and chaos. Nothing is reliable. His 48-hour ultimatum has been extended out to 10 days; negotiations are happening but indirectly; US troops are being positioned; and Israel is a law unto itself. Right now, it is destroying vital infrastructure and taking territory in southern Lebanon.

The Albanese Labor government? Once again, it looks slow and appears to be hoping it will all go away soon. A second National Cabinet meeting is set for Monday - more than a........

© The Examiner