Getting rid of 18C was a non-issue for the electorate. Even Barnaby Joyce could see that. And yet the prime minister has spent precious time and energy and some of his formidable rhetorical flourish in the fight for its repeal. If there is an issue in this political culture relevant only to an elite living in a bubble of affluence and influence, then 18C is it. Only a few pollies and highly paid newspaper journos are cracking open the Krug (Moet is too vulgar) now that it is in the Senate.

All of this has ramifications for how the electorate view Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership. If the prime minister was struck by lightning today, what would be chiselled onto the marble wall of his sepulchre? Removed 18C from the Racial Discrimination Act? You can almost hear the shudder run up the prime ministerial spine.

When he became prime minister, the electorate were willing to overlook the fact he rose to the office via a coup (we are used to them by now, aren’t we?) because they believed he would do big things and focus on the big picture.

And yet hope turned to disappointment and may border on despair if our prime minister continues to act as if he is captive to those in the party who think Australia is suddenly a better place without 18C. There is evidence in the latest Essential Report poll that the prime minister still has the public’s attention and support if he manages to think and act on a grander scale. Consider the strong support for the expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme.

In fairness to Turnbull, it’s an unforgiving environment for a political leader. The electorate is short tempered. And of course we have always been tough on leaders that try to do big things. Our desire for straight-talking, visionary leaders focused on the hard task of reform works a little more in theory than in practice.

Those kinds of leaders are always more popular in hindsight than they are when they are actually governing. If we look at the Essential Report we see that given a list of vital political leadership attributes, what we are looking for most from our leaders is accountability. Do what you promise to do.

Turnbull promised a new area of better politics and a focus not on the minor issues of ginger groups within his caucus but on the top concerns of 99% of the electorate. He still has the public’s attention and a sliver of their goodwill to go on, or else it will be 18C on the tombstone in perpetuity.