Michelle Grattan

Despite being in an overwhelmingly dominant position politically, Anthony Albanese sounded quite tetchy this week.

If the intelligence community had its Logies, ASIO chief Mike Burgess would be chasing gold this week.

The opposition will say Jim Chalmers hasn't been talking about the right things. The reform purists will say the big issues remain untackled. 

One observer describes next week's economic roundtable this way: "Chalmers has opened a can of worms — and everybody has got a worm."

Australia has little influence on what's happening in the Middle East but the Australian public is increasingly horrified by the images of the humanitarian crisis. 

Among Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's multiple problems are two very unhappy former frontbenchers. 

The opposition leader faces a diabolical situation with the debate over whether the Coalition should abandon the 2050 net zero target. 

The first sitting weeks of the 48th parliament will see MPs of all persuasions adjusting to the new status quo — and avoiding political pitfalls.

Anthony Albanese has nominated "affordable child care" as the legacy he wants to leave. It's all the more surprising, then, that the government didn't seem to spot a plethora of problems in an area so central to the prime minister's ambitions. 

More than a decade ago political passions ran high in conservative circles about the alleged evils of 18C. This week it was only briefly back in the news cycle. 

The treasurer has lowered expectations about achieving specific outcomes at his tax summit but he'll be looking for broad support in one direction.

To the extent anyone is paying attention, Sussan Ley has made a better start than many, including some Liberals, had expected.

Let's never knock a summit, but let's not be taken in by the suggestion that the planned August meeting, involving employers, unions and the government, will mark some breakthrough moment. 

Labor leaned into attacking Peter Dutton and was never afraid to name him. With Sussan Ley, the prime minister might adopt the Bob Carr approach. 

The prime minister is heading to the G7 meeting in Canada, where he's expected to hold his first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Given the long-standing poor personal relationship between David Littleproud and Sussan Ley, in a re-formed Coalition there would be ongoing suspicion and tension between the two of them. 

David Littleproud and Sussan Ley have had a previously combustible relationship but will have to find a path forward. 

The reshuffle announced by Anthony Albanese is a mix of continuity and change, with those in the government's top rank staying in their previous ministries.

Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor both want the thankless post that's up for grabs at Tuesday's party meeting.

When we look back, we can see the road to election day has had a multitude of signposts, flashing red lights, twists, turns and potholes.

Whatever the result on May 3, even people within the Liberals think they have run a very poor national campaign. Not just poor, but odd.

Peter Dutton, now seriously on the back foot, has made an extraordinarily big "aspirational" commitment at the back end of this campaign.

Election results trigger, or subsequently lead to, leadership resets. Even in the turmoil of a campaign, players will also have their eyes on the future.

Both sides of politics want a special deal in response to Trump's tariffs, but at what cost? 

It's a weird time when your friends become almost as problematic as your potential enemies, but that's the situation we face.