On the final parliamentary sitting day of 2025, Anthony Albanese walked to work, striding breezily into Parliament House past a huddle of television cameras that were pre-positioned to capture his arrival.

Inside the chamber, the prime minister was in full flight as he celebrated the passage of landmark environment protection laws with the support of the Greens.

This was Albanese in his element: a political deal-maker, fixing a problem, outflanking an opponent – in this case the Liberals and Nationals – to win the day, again.

If such a deal was proof positive of Albanese’s biggest strengths as a politician, his handling of the Bondi beach massacre has exposed some of his weaknesses as a national leader.

With no deal to make or opponent to outwit, Albanese was forced to rely on snap judgment and clear, firm and consistent communication in the face of a shocking, unprecedented event.

He struggled, if not for desperate want of trying and a sincere desire to console and unite a grieving nation.

The prime minister’s decision to announce a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion means that within 25 days of the........

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