Why just stop at New England? Why not the whole country? Why not go to the people?

The logic is inescapable. Australia hasn’t really had a government since Malcolm Turnbull trundled out to Yarralumla on May 8 last year.

A full week after the July 2 poll neither side had a majority. It took until July 10 before Bill Shorten conceded that the Coalition would stay on the Treasury benches, but even then it was unsure if they would make the magic 75 seats plus one.

Since then they have suffered the indignities of a netherworld existence; in government, but not in power.

The High Court has offered the Prime Minister a chance to begin again, to draw a line under his ghastly 18 months.

If things are going as well as we’re told they are, why — it should be a walk in the park for the Coalition.

And if they’re not? Well, at least Turnbull will have bequeathed the nation some stability. He will have ended the charade.

The Prime Minister is a literary type. He knows and loves his history.

He’ll understand the irony of echoing George Barrington’s words as he and Lucy jet off for the next stage of their lives; perhaps alongside son Alex in Hong Kong:

True patriots all: for be it understood:

We left our country for our country’s good.

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