Is Tony Abbott another Mark Latham? That seems to be the talking point being eased out tentatively by senior Labor figures, with Financial Services Minister Chris Bowen testing the line in an interview on ABC Radio National this morning.

If the Government can successfully position Abbott in the public mind as Lathamesque — risky, reckless, undisciplined, erratic — that’s almost all they need to do to ensure re-election this year.

But maybe what the Government should do is say nothing. After all, the Opposition has two Lathams at its helm — Abbott and Barnaby Joyce. The idea that at least one of them won’t pull the pin out of several hand grenades this year is, frankly, implausible.

Which should make for some great theatre, if not great politics.