Much like superannuation tax reform, it is amazing how much of a mess they've made of this.
The ALP announced proposed changes to Super a few years back to minimise the tax shelter available in pension phase. Abbott back then said no changes in order solely to wedge Labor. When the issue refused to go away (justifiably, they were very generous concessions) Turnbull eventually had to flip-flop and lost precious political capital doing so.
Much the same here. I'd hazard a guess if the ALP hadn't announced their policy early last year there is every chance they include some tweaks in the May 2015 Budget. Yet the party room took the decision solely to wedge and now with the issue a continued burning platform they are stuck, again. Yet Turnbull has so, so much less political capital now.
The lesson is surely don't make these stupid party room decision based on what your opponent is doing. Good policy should always trump in that decision.
