It was the defining image of betrayal at the pinnacle of Australian politics.

The prime minister and his loyal deputy. Their faces inches away as the smiling assassin gets ready to stick the knife in.

But this time Lady Macbeth is not Julia Gillard.

The image of Gillard as the traitorous political assassin was used to stunning effect in Liberal attack ads at the 2013 election. It followed Labor's leadership revolving door as both Gillard then Kevin Rudd took turns at ousting each other as prime minister.