At this time of year, during the so-called ‘silly season’, it’s normally desperate journos who have to concoct preposterous stories to titillate their readers and fill the pages. Not so this year; the silliness has been provided in spades by the politicians themselves.

The Jamie Brigg’s Affair (or perhaps that should read his non-affair?) is replete with silliness on all sides. The Minister’s behaviour was downright silly – going on the sauce at the end of what sounds like an excruciating day inspecting transportation modes and then letting his hormones get the better of him – but ultimately no worse than silly. Should we be outraged that he told the woman she has ‘piercing’ eyes? Well, does she, yes or no? Should he have kissed her on the cheek or neck? Almost certainly not, but then again, flirtatiousness isn’t – and shouldn’t ever be – regarded as a hanging offense, even in the workplace. Did the actions amount to sexual intimidation or harassment? No. Did the girl feel ‘pressured’ to stay drinking ‘til 2 am with the minister and his chief-of-staff? Again, apparently not. Should she have skedaddled earlier on in the evening when she first felt uncomfortable with Mr Briggs invading her personal space? Probably, but again not necessarily; her request to Mr Eaton to tell his boss to behave should have been enough. Should Mr Briggs have apologised when she raised the matter three days later? Of course, immediately. Was it wrong to forward the photo of the staffer to colleagues after she made her complaint? Probably. Does his ‘crime’ warrant him losing his career – as now looks likely – with all that that entails for himself, his wife and family? Only in a puritanical, hyper-judgmental, permanently-aggrieved world such as, it now appears, our political class wish to foist upon us. Let’s face it, PM-in-waiting Kevin Rudd was merrily forgiven for far lewder drunken ribaldness.

Things got even sillier with condemnation of Peter Dutton’s error in texting an abusive comment to the very person he was denigrating. That Samantha Maiden shrugged the insult off is the only laudable feature of this entire episode. Next, hysterical over-reactions led to a randy sportsman being fined $10,000 for flirting with a TV reporter live on air, showing just how disproportionate such over-sensitvity can be. What on earth happened to free speech? In a free society, we should be free to be as funny or flirtatious as we dare, so long as we do not intimidate or harrass. Yet now we have a new kind of PC morality, built around subjective perceptions of ‘appropriateness’.

Mr Turnbull declared certain of his ministers’ actions to be ‘completely inappropriate’. Yet, apparently, no laws or guidelines have been broken.

If ministerial guidelines are vague, fix them. Ministers, responsible for spending our taxes to improve the state of our nation, should be hired and fired on their ability to perform their tasks, not on some spurious, subjective reactions to a night in a Kowloon bar.

Cynics have noted the speed with which Mr Turnbull opted to get rid of Mr Briggs – a conservative Abbott supporter – was in direct contrast to his clinging on to Mal Brough, one of the key plotters of the leadership coup. This despite evidence of Mr Brough’s potential misleading of parliament, a far graver sin than drunken flirtations.

Many were also dismayed to see impressive ‘Abbott-supporting’ MPs such as Angus Taylor and Dan Tehan overlooked for promotion, whilst the likes of Wyatt Roy and Marise Payne were promoted far beyond expectation – and, arguably, qualifications – presumably as a reward for their support for Mr Turnbull back in September.

How ‘appropriate’ is that?

Thawley, wine and facebook

Our apologies to those eager scribes awaiting the announcement of the winner of the 2015 Thawley Essay Prize; which has been postponed for two more weeks. There was much to read.

In the meantime, we trust thirsty Speccie readers noticed, in the Christmas Issue, the inaugural Spectator Australia Wine Club. Go on, google it if you haven’t already, and check out Ben Canaider’s astute choices at special ‘Speccie’ discount prices. The Wine Club will be a regular feature this year.

And while you’re online, take a quick detour to the new Spectator Australia Facebook page, edited by the brilliant Michael Davis (see p vii), where you will find additional articles and hearty opinions – why not add your own? Just go to www.facebook.com/SpeccieOz/ and – as is the wont these days – please make sure you press, er, ‘Like’.

Such a powerful, emotive word.