A Government-in-Exile

Has anyone else noticed something odd about the new Opposition frontbench?

At a time when the need for renewal within the Liberal Party is almost universally proclaimed, Abbott has chosen to reinstate the frontbench positions of three Howard era Ministers: Bronwyn ‘bathe me in kerosene’ Bishop, Kevin ‘deport me without cause’ Andrews and Philip ‘they threw children overboard’ Ruddock.

Rather than constructing an effective opposition, it seems Abbott has decided to set up a “government-in-exile” that has a collective amnesia for the period on and around 24 November 2007.

Odd: but certainly proof of the adage that “everything old is new again.”

And is anyone else concerned that the exceedingly important shadow Health portfolio is vested in a man who still doesn’t appear to have a seat come the next election?