Speaking of Joe Hockey, it seems like he might get a plumb job as a diplomat. This says it all.
Whatever the former treasurer’s capacity for the job — which might prove considerable — there is something grating about a politician being let down gently after even his peers wanted to get rid of him.
And when that politician had been demanding austerity from others, and making decisions which affected the jobs of thousands, there will be voters who are more than bemused. They will be angry.
In the eyes of those voters, Mr Hockey will be rewarded for a job not well done.