Late on Friday evening, in the cavernous space that is the Cutaway at Barangaroo, Malcolm Turnbull was hitting sixes to a home crowd. Barristers and legal eagles from around the country were in town for the Australian Bar Association's national conference, and the former prime minister - and former lawyer - was their guest of honour at the glamorous gala dinner.

Media had been denied access to the event - at Mr Turnbull's request - and attendees agreed to the "Chatham House rule" where information can be reported but the source can not be identified. But events in the Cutaway are easily audible and visible from above the venue, on Merriman Street, through the large gaps in the roof that give the space its airy feel.

"If Peter was the answer, you’d have to ask: what was the question?" Credit:Fairfax Media

Asked whether in retrospect he had assembled the best talent on his frontbench, given how many ministers voted to knife him in August, Mr Turnbull began diplomatically, insisting that although he "appreciate[d] the sympathy", he was made of "sterner stuff than that".

"I’m a live-by-the-sword, die-by-the-sword type of person," he said.