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House of Cards? I prefer Borgen – says Turnbull, the man who toppled a PM House of Cards? I prefer Borgen – says Turnbull, the man who toppled a PM
(35 minutes later)
If you ask Malcolm Turnbull to nominate a preferred fictional role model for political leadership – Birgitte Nyborg in Borgen or Frank Underwood in House of Cards – then he’s all the way with the cycling, coalition-building, centrist, coffee-drinking Birgitte.If you ask Malcolm Turnbull to nominate a preferred fictional role model for political leadership – Birgitte Nyborg in Borgen or Frank Underwood in House of Cards – then he’s all the way with the cycling, coalition-building, centrist, coffee-drinking Birgitte.
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Lest alarm bells start ringing (again) in the government’s conservative ranks, lest anyone think a closet fan of the Scandinavian model has taken the party of Menzies hostage and set up residency in the prime ministerial suite – let me be clear.Lest alarm bells start ringing (again) in the government’s conservative ranks, lest anyone think a closet fan of the Scandinavian model has taken the party of Menzies hostage and set up residency in the prime ministerial suite – let me be clear.
There is only one woman in the Turnbull closet, and that’s wife Lucy.There is only one woman in the Turnbull closet, and that’s wife Lucy.
More of Lucy in the closet shortly.More of Lucy in the closet shortly.
Sticking momentarily with leadership role models, Turnbull’s Birgitte preference can be explained quite simply.Sticking momentarily with leadership role models, Turnbull’s Birgitte preference can be explained quite simply.
When Frank Underwood breaks the fourth wall, he reveals himself as “a latter day Iago”. Borgen, by contrast, is “very raw, real political drama”.When Frank Underwood breaks the fourth wall, he reveals himself as “a latter day Iago”. Borgen, by contrast, is “very raw, real political drama”.
“House of Cards, which we all love, is more of a melodrama,” Turnbull says, chortling for the first time in an interview with Guardian Australia.“House of Cards, which we all love, is more of a melodrama,” Turnbull says, chortling for the first time in an interview with Guardian Australia.
Clearly one cannot endorse Frank, but one would sort of like to, as one would like, sometimes, to have dessert before dinner.Clearly one cannot endorse Frank, but one would sort of like to, as one would like, sometimes, to have dessert before dinner.
Turnbull is perched, slightly stiff, abundantly cautious, at the head of his new meeting table, which apart from the artwork and personal effects, is the major change in the renovated prime ministerial suite.Turnbull is perched, slightly stiff, abundantly cautious, at the head of his new meeting table, which apart from the artwork and personal effects, is the major change in the renovated prime ministerial suite.
A table won’t sound like much at all, but you can trust me when I tell you it’s an emphatic piece in the room.A table won’t sound like much at all, but you can trust me when I tell you it’s an emphatic piece in the room.
It occupies territory where a bunch of low bucket chairs used to cluster around a coffee table. The bucket chairs, used by a number of previous prime ministers, said relax. It was hard to rise from those chairs elegantly.It occupies territory where a bunch of low bucket chairs used to cluster around a coffee table. The bucket chairs, used by a number of previous prime ministers, said relax. It was hard to rise from those chairs elegantly.
The new boardroom table says work – and work in the style of the chief executive, or the chairman of the board – holding court, cooking up ventures, taking minutes, cross-checking accounts.The new boardroom table says work – and work in the style of the chief executive, or the chairman of the board – holding court, cooking up ventures, taking minutes, cross-checking accounts.
Gather the coterie, and, in time, soar above it.Gather the coterie, and, in time, soar above it.
It’s more formal than his old parliamentary previous digs, which had the convivial feel of salon, or lair. It’s more formal than his old parliamentary digs, which had the convivial feel of salon, or lair.
Of course, there are higher stakes in this room, and perhaps the furniture is totemic as well as practical.Of course, there are higher stakes in this room, and perhaps the furniture is totemic as well as practical.
Rather than writing a prominently displayed post-it-note that says, simply, “Malcolm, consult, or die …” perhaps just construct a permanent shrine to the virtue of collaboration in your private space.Rather than writing a prominently displayed post-it-note that says, simply, “Malcolm, consult, or die …” perhaps just construct a permanent shrine to the virtue of collaboration in your private space.
Make it the practical obstacle you will encounter every time you have to exit through the front door, lest you repeat old mistakes, lurch back into old, self-defeating habits.Make it the practical obstacle you will encounter every time you have to exit through the front door, lest you repeat old mistakes, lurch back into old, self-defeating habits.
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The Turnbull family is in the office, small framed photographs behind the desk.The Turnbull family is in the office, small framed photographs behind the desk.
The family pictures are overwhelmed by the scale of the art: a family-owned John Olsen painting that came from the ministerial office, a Lloyd Rees that is on loan from the parliamentary collection and has visited the prime ministerial suite before, an exquisite needlepoint piece from Narelle Jubelin.The family pictures are overwhelmed by the scale of the art: a family-owned John Olsen painting that came from the ministerial office, a Lloyd Rees that is on loan from the parliamentary collection and has visited the prime ministerial suite before, an exquisite needlepoint piece from Narelle Jubelin.
But in the dressing closet, a little room off the main office, Lucy Turnbull reigns serene – regal, regarding visitors from a portrait perched high over their heads.But in the dressing closet, a little room off the main office, Lucy Turnbull reigns serene – regal, regarding visitors from a portrait perched high over their heads.
The now adult Turnbull children, Alex and Daisy, also smile as sheepish children out of portraits on another wall.The now adult Turnbull children, Alex and Daisy, also smile as sheepish children out of portraits on another wall.
It’s the private place that sits adjacent to public office.It’s the private place that sits adjacent to public office.
Turnbull would have had them all in the public arena, but this was Lucy’s call.Turnbull would have had them all in the public arena, but this was Lucy’s call.
Lucy has been arranging.Lucy has been arranging.
Malcolm has been deferring.Malcolm has been deferring.