It is not the easiest thing in the world to cause a stir among conservatives. They are often described as reclusive creatures preferring the sanctity of the ballot box to the rancour of placard-waving. Perhaps that is true in a political landscape where the phrase ‘quiet Australian’ has become synonymous with Coalition victories – as though their voters were bats in the night, little more than silhouettes who can be largely ignored after the dust of an election campaign has settled.