There are some that are quick to join the Coalition and One Nation chorus on the ‘dirt sheet’ deliberately dug up by a journalist in an attempt to attack the PM’s integrity. Certainly, the timing appeared to be sinister, because the reference to Haines well preceded the awful tragedy of last week.

So-called ‘dirt sheets’ have been around in politics for many years. All politicians face the potential that information could be dug-up that raises questions about their utterances and actions.

There are those that support Pauline Hanson’s ‘grubby’ comment even though this emanates from a politician that gave the green light to cartoons depicting Andrew Hastie a former commander in the Special Air Services Regiment as a traitor and made fun of a very personal medical condition experienced by Senator Jacqui Lambie.

Fortunately, more level-heads have come to the fore. Well-respected Australian commentator Peter Hartcher summed it up perfectly: “Anyone who’s spent more than a minute in politics or political journalism knows that this document wasn’t a real dirt sheet. It was way too genteel. But it was an attempt to raise questions about Haines’ motives in asking for big infrastructure projects in her electorate. So it was not a customary dirt sheet, but it was unattractive. And unfair. Enough.”

As for 2028, Albanese will not be easily rolled whether by a febrile, grievance-oriented One Nation or a Coalition that still has to get its act together.