They say that there's no such thing as bad publicity. But sometimes it helps to be out of the limelight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And as all sorts of things were hitting all sorts of fans for the Abbott government this week, one man has been far, far from the fray.
On Sunday, with Campbell Newman disappearing down the gurgler and the Queensland hangover spreading south, Malcolm Turnbull was in Los Angeles, suited up and attending a gala with Nicole Kidman, John Travolta and Scarlett Johansson.
In an official capacity, of course.
Meanwhile, back at the Coalition ranch, senior MPs trudged out in support of Tony Abbott.
As far as conga lines go, it was not a festive one.
A besieged George Brandis faced more than 30 minutes of questioning about the Coalition's woes on live television. It would be "crazy" to change leaders, he pleaded in a not-so veiled message to his colleagues.
On a naval ship, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews defended Mr Abbott, quietly declaring, "I believe the Prime Minister will lead us to the next election".
Then, in clipped, dismissive tones, Julie Bishop told reporters in a press conference - ostensibly about her meeting with Britain's Foreign Secretary - that Mr Abbott had her "support".
It capped off a head-slappingly awful week for the government. What started with the awarding of a knighthood to the Queen's husband, had ended with a leadership crise of Rudd-Gillardian proportions.
Luckily for the Communications Minister - and possible prime ministerial replacement - he had been safely in the United States, managing to miss the Sir Philip knightmare entirely.
Earlier in January, Bishop had asked Turnbull to represent her at a series of G'Day USA events.
And so, Turnbull had spent the week hanging out with Australia's US Ambassador, Kim Beazley, meeting tech firms in San Francisco and having high powered lunches in LA - updating his Twitter page with cheery snaps along the way.
In a speech on Saturday about the future of the Asia Pacific, the Communications Minister appeared to take a Rudd- like turn, saying pointedly that "leaders must be decision makers" and "above all, explainers and advocates".
But when he was stopped at the G'day USA red carpet do on Sunday, he was a member of Team Abbott, fair dinkum.
"The Prime Minister has the support of all members of his government," he said, smooth as a Hollywood schmoozer.
"Including me."
