While the allegations of abuse made by a former staffer are just that, and will be investigated by an independent review to be run by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, they could not have come at a worse time.

It was only on Tuesday that Kate Jenkins handed down her Setting The Standard report that refocused public and media attention on the government's mishandling of the rape allegations made by Brittany Higgins in February.

That report recommended the establishment of an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to investigate such allegations and mandate sanctions if they were proven.

Then, on Wednesday, the former attorney-general Christian Porter confirmed he would not be standing for the seat of Pearce in the 2022 election. This focused attention on historic allegations of rape and the "blind trust" controversy.

These were just some of the scandals which have dogged the LNP over the past two weeks. Disputes over vaccination mandates and the failure to introduce integrity commission legislation saw numerous MPs cross the floor and, at times, raised questions about the government's control of the lower house.

The government suffered what many would see as another bloody nose when it withdrew controversial voter identification legislation.

The few bright spots have been the better-than -expected September quarter figures released by the treasurer on Wednesday and the warm accolades bestowed on Greg Hunt from both sides of the chamber after he confirmed he would not be contesting his Victorian seat of Flinders next year.

The face of the federal pandemic response, Mr Hunt's efforts did much to keep Australia's infection levels and mortality rates among some of the lowest in the world. This is of crucial importance to the government given, despite problems with quarantine and the slow start to the vaccine roll-out, many voters will likely give it a passing grade on its management of the health crisis.

So, in view of all of the above and the possibility an election may be called for as early as March, what does this mean for the Morrison government's future prospects?

Given it is already trailing in the polls there is a temptation to say it is on the ropes and the ALP has been presented with another unlosable election. But, after what happened to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and to Bill Shorten in 2019, only a very courageous pundit would make that call. A week is a very long time in politics and, at this stage, Anthony Albanese has failed to make a compelling case for a change of government.

Labor risks either going into the poll with policies too similar to the government's, or springing some nasty surprises on the electorate at the very last minute that would lend themselves to an LNP scare campaign.

If the government campaigns on the economic recovery which is predicted to be well under way next year after what is shaping up to be a bumper Christmas sales season it is definitely in with a better-than-even chance. The election remains its to lose.

That said, the electorate's tolerance level for any further scandals, controversies, mistakes or missteps is now at absolute zero.

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