Watching the partisan battle over blackouts, renewable energy, and soaring power prices, there was a sense on Tuesday that it was Malcolm Turnbull who was more effectively honing his lines, and thus isolating his opponents' weaknesses.

This is despite the fact that the once green-tinged PM has surrendered more of his own reputation in the conduct of this debate than Bill Shorten.

And it is despite Scott Morrison unhelpfully brandishing a lump of coal in the chamber last week - a visual so egregiously contrary to Turnbull's early presentation, as to suggest that he was making this very point.

Turnbull's right-ward trajectory has seen him bleeding progressives, with his support falling steadily since assuming the top job.