Gillard was wrong, but we don't care

Ironically, this undermines the "young and naïve" defence, as how could one believe this dominant woman could have been conned back then, but voters don't necessarily mind, because that was then, and a strong, determined and ruthless woman might be what we need now.

There is still a way to go on this issue, and the opposition may yet bend it to their advantage.

There may be evidence of serious criminality, but for that to matter the police would need to lay charges.

Or they may change direction, lower their sights, and use the affair to reinforce community hesitations about the prime minister's character.

I've always regarded allegations of personal wrong-doing as irrelevant to political campaigning, and there is nothing in this polling to contradict that point of view.

It seems that Tony Abbott came reluctantly to this campaign. Perhaps his first instinct was correct.

That is something for him to think about over the Christmas turkey.