The question came from an audience member, and was pressed by host Tony Jones. “Linda Reynolds, I know you don't want to talk about politics,” Jones began, and that was his first mistake because she most certainly did, despite her denials of wanting to do anything of the sort. Jones referenced the viral television editorial by Waleed Aly, noting that Aly “essentially was accusing the PM of plotting in the shadow cabinet to use the fear of Islam and Muslims for political purposes”. Jones: “Do you want to respond to that?” Reynolds, without pause or blush: “I do but I don't want to do it in a political way tonight. I would caution all commentators, and all politicians to be very careful with your words.”

She then threw care to the wind, embarking on a wild rumination that drew the following into a completely incoherent whole: Christchurch, Scott Morrison’s past rhetoric, the impact of the Bali bombings on herself and other Australians, and the recent medical evacuation legislation for asylum seekers. Loading There is no need to pass further comment on what the senator said. Let Reynolds speak for herself. Make what sense of it as you are able. “This is a very personal issue for me and the circumstances that you were talking about are things I've lived through,” she began.

“Last month I gave probably the hardest and the most personal speech I've ever given in the Senate. And it was in response to Labor's amendments to the medevac bill. “And I was literally almost physically ill when I saw some of my Senate and House of Representatives colleagues in the chamber cheering and high-fiving the passage of these amendments because I was one of the few who has lived through terrorism and the impact [of] the Bali bombings, I was up there, I saw, I smelt and I got to understand what was happening. “There are people in our own nation and there are people overseas who want to do us harm. They don't respect our compassion. And they certainly do not respect our way of life.” Jones: “Can I interrupt you there? Are you drawing a link between the Bali bombings and refugees coming to Australia for medical services?” He might also have asked: what does any of that have to do with what Scott Morrison said in cabinet eight years ago, and what on earth does it have to with events right now?

But in the face of the brazenness, one had to soldier on stunned. Loading Reynolds: “What I'm saying is having my colleagues cheer for this policy that will inevitably lead to the boat trade coming again.” And off she went. After Christchurch, the government representative on the Q&A panel had this to say: Stop The Boats!

And that was about it. Jones went back to his original question: “You didn't really answer the question about whether or not you'd be disturbed if you discovered the current PM had while in shadow cabinet…” Reynolds: “The PM has been very clear tonight it did not happen. It simply did not happen. And my bigger point is for anybody to try and politicise this issue now, while events are still unfolding in New Zealand, is inappropriate and tacky.” Still she didn’t blush. Inappropriate and tacky? Perish the thought.

You want this woman on your side the next time you play poker.