Malcolm Turnbull’s tacticians in plan to keep Prime Minister out of spotlight

• January 17, 2016 12:00am 
• Renee Viellaris The Courier-Mail

MALCOLM Turnbull has given Australians a great gift – a holiday from politicians.

The Prime Minister and his senior team are purposely staying out of the limelight to give voters a break from tit-for-tat battles, unless necessary.

While Mr Turnbull will be visible on the world stage with his first visit to the United States as Prime Minister, domestically the “break” will last until after Australia Day. Federal Parliament resumes for the first time in 2016 on February 2.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is filling the media vacuum, warning voters about everything from the Turnbull Government’s so-called plan to increase the GST to 15 per cent, cuts to paid parental leave through to health.

But Mr Turnbull and his ­tacticians have decided Australians need to enjoy the beach, barbecues and get ready for the school year without politicians crashing their holiday break.

Part of the wider political strategy is to also not “overexpose’’ Mr Turnbull, who this year will hand down his first budget, outline his plans on tax reform and ask voters to elect him for the first time in about September.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will hand down his first budget this year. Picture: Mark Evans

The plan was to give voters time off after the release of the Royal Commission into Trade Unions and Governance report but some frontbenchers have made appearances, such as Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop who has provided commentary on Jakarta’s terror attacks.

Mr Shorten yesterday blasted the Government for going into “hiding” from voters on much-touted looming reforms.

``Malcolm Turnbull and his Liberals have been in hiding since the new year because they don’t want to debate issues people are worried about, like their plan to increase the GST and cut penalty rates,’’ Mr Shorten said.