The Prime Minister has a habit of tackling major issues at “five minutes to midnight”, Labor leader Kevin Rudd claimed on Lateline last night.

“What I know about the Australian people is that they stare you in the eyeballs and they make a judgment of whether you’re fair dinkum or not,” he said.

“One of thing they’ve made a judgment on Mr Howard is this, too much of what he does seems to occur at five minutes before midnight and midnight is an election day.”

The Labor leader pointed to the government’s record on broadband, higher education and climate change.

Critics could add health and East Timor – let alone the Northern Territory intervention – to the list.

But the Prime Minister also has another “five minutes to midnight” habit these critics need to be aware of.

That involves turning round the polls and seizing victory at the last two federal elections.