Nelson v Turnbull

It's on.

Not sure what this achieves from Nelson's end. An extra month or two?

Meanwhile Costello hasn't resigned. I don't think we will know the end of this story for at least 12 months, but instability in the party favours him over the long term.

UPDATE: For Nelson, it achieved early retirement from the job as leader. If Malcolm T performs well, that is not just the end of Nelson but certainly farewell for Costello, sooner or later.

Brendan's brain

Annabel Crabb in the SMH:

Then it was Brendan Nelson's turn.

If Nelson ever loses his job as Leader of the Opposition he could easily find work at a freak show, memorising and reciting the Yellow Pages.

We all know that notes to the parliamentarian are as ropes to the rock-climber.

Kevin Rudd, on most sitting days, is so surrounded by notes that he looks like a teenager five hours before an HSC exam.

So when the Opposition Leader stepped up to embark upon the 22 minutes of oratory with which he was permitted to respond to the Prime Minister, a tiny ripple of excitement skittered round the room as we realised he was going to attempt it without any notes at all.

A parliamentary death-defying act if ever there was one.

Brendan Nelson

Can't last long.