TV tonsil hockey short-circuited

Phillip Coorey

February 15, 2011

WAS IT a cunning plan by Joe Hockey and Bill Shorten to boost their profiles, a ploy by Mr Hockey to use Mr Shorten to destabilise Julia Gillard, or a combination of something in between?

We shall never know, because Mr Shorten pulled the pin on the idea that he and Mr Hockey become regular sparring partners on the high-rating Channel Seven breakfast show, Sunrise.

The show is responsible for one prime minister already.

Kevin Rudd squared off against Mr Hockey each Friday for more than a year, building a popular profile that helped him to gain the prime ministership. At the time, Mr Hockey was frowned upon by his superiors for indirectly facilitating Mr Rudd's rise.

The Herald has learnt that in recent months, Mr Hockey has been working on revitalising the concept. He first approached Mr Rudd, who declined, so he began working on Mr Shorten, the Assistant Treasurer.

Mr Shorten is generally regarded as ambitious and the Liberals will tell anyone within earshot that he is out to depose Julia Gillard as prime minister.

Given Sunrise's reputation, Mr Shorten would have sent the rumour mill running had he gone ahead with the idea.

He did agree but last Thursday, the day before their first joint appearance, he pulled out, much to the annoyance of Mr Hockey. Mr Shorten said he wanted to get on with his work and he did not want to play a part in helping Mr Hockey build his profile to knock off the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott.