No one was expecting bold brush strokes on policy or rhetorical flourishes from Bill Shorten when he gave his first major public address for the year on Tuesday, and the federal Opposition Leader didn't disappoint. There was a reiteration of steadfastness ("The Labor Party hasn't changed its values"), a proclamation of solidarity with voters the ALP has had trouble wooing in the past ("We are the party of tradies") and a swipe at Malcolm Turnbull's silence over Donald Trump's controversial executive order halting immigration from several Muslim majority countries ("There isn't much point in having the top job if you're not going to back in what you believe").
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This being an agenda-setting as well a flag-flying moment, Mr Shorten also announced Labor was committed to a tightening of politicians' expenses and travel entitlements, and to ensuring greater transparency around political donations. Mr Shorten gave notice that Labor also would support a Senate inquiry into the merits of a federal anti-corruption commission – not because he believed corruption was widespread but because of the "need to lift public confidence".
A leader intent on affirming his image as an intrepid reformer and political go-getter might have pledged to establish a standing anti-corruption body regardless of the outcome of any Coalition-inspired Senate inquiry. But Mr Shorten's talent lies not so much in bold initiative as in careful negotiation and consensus-building behind the scenes. That – combined with undoubted skills in building personal networks and locking in numbers – have been instrumental to his rise in Labor politics.
It's arguable that Mr Shorten's circumspect approach is ideally suited to the job of opposition leader, for success in the role is determined less by policy initiative and salesmanship than by how well the prime minister of the day is rating in public opinion surveys. Luckily for Mr Shorten, and for Labor, Malcolm Turnbull is increasingly viewed by voters as weak, vacillating and devoid of any immediate plans, let alone an overarching policy narrative.
Rather than concentrating on the Prime Minister's shortcomings – for Mr Turnbull has shown he needs no help on this front – Mr Shorten has made job creation (particularly in manufacturing) his immediate focus. It's a sound strategy, given the job losses in Victoria and South Australia following the Coalition's decision to withdraw government support for vehicle manufacturers Ford, Toyota and Holden.
In advocating the creation of more blue collar jobs, however, Labor leaves itself open to charges of protectionism, waste and inefficiency. It's one reason, perhaps, why Mr Shorten emphasised the potential for more blue collar jobs in renewable energy. Fulfilling that potential will depend, however, on Labor maintaining its renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030.
For all the jibes that he never acts without first sniffing the breeze, Mr Shorten has performed competently as Opposition Leader. Only by adopting a bolder, more forward-looking stance, however, will he convince voters that he's genuine prime ministerial material.
