As Monday night's Q&A so graphically demonstrated, interest in federal politics has shifted from the grimly predictable Coalition/Labor argument to the more colourful contest between Tony Abbott the actual Prime Minister, and Malcolm Turnbull, the widely agreed Prime Alternative.

Compelling as it is, this is a dangerous time for the country, and of course for both men. Leadership uncertainty is now infecting everything in Canberra. The impact on Abbott is to ensure he has one eye on his party room and the other on the polls.

Turnbull has been nothing if not patient – aware that if he is to assume the reins at some point, his success would turn on his capacity to unite a sceptical party even before getting to the question of convincing voters. And that means, not campaigning for the job and not undermining Abbott. Turnbull knows he must be drafted by a party that had arrived at the decision to change leaders of its own volition.

To this end, his public and private behaviour has been above reproach. Given Abbott's self-inflicted flirt with political death, Turnbull had shown admirable discipline in resisting entreaties to directly challenge for the leadership.