WHAT is Bill Shorten up to and, more importantly, what is his motivation?
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The Opposition Leader has made two big policy changes recently: an about-turn on Labor's asylum seeker policy to back the Coalition's "stop the boats" pledge, and an emissions trading scheme pledge that leaves the door open for another carbon tax.
What is curious about the changes is that they are moves in opposite directions of the political spectrum: the first, a jump to the right; and the second, a jump to the left.
If he's not doing The Time Warp, what exactly motivates a leader to annoy each half of his party equally?
The Liberals like to refer to their party as a broad church, while the ALP likes to think it is the party of ideas.
Both representations can fall down in actuality.
In many respects, presenting opposing viewpoints is a part of healthy debate within even like-minded groups.
It will be a momentous embarrassment if Mr Shorten fails to carry the argument within his own party and get his policy vision across the line.
Mr Shorten should be congratulated for raising the issue of the ALP's asylum seeker policy and suggesting a change.
That does not seem to be the case anywhere.
Not by the government, which has used the about-face as another "you cannot trust Bill" moment.
Not by the Murdoch press, where Mr Shorten was, predictably, panned for his decision.
(The Photoshop-happy Daily Telegraph presented him as Tom Hanks from Cast Away, marooned on an island with a Kevin Rudd-faced Wilson his only company.)
But, perhaps most damningly, not even by sections of his own party, with the Labor Left lining up to criticise any policy change.
In fact, Labor's immigration spokesman Richard Marles was heckled and booed at the conference for standing behind boat turnbacks.
It will be a momentous embarrassment if Mr Shorten fails to carry the argument within his own party and get his policy vision across the line.
Mr Shorten's problem is that any about-face is interpreted with suspicion, and the question, "what's in it for Bill?" is asked.
That scepticism comes from his key role in knifing two sitting prime ministers.
His motives can no longer be viewed as what is good for the Australian public or even the ALP, but what is good for himself.
Certainly the Royal Commission in union corruption painted the picture of someone particularly concerned about climbing the leadership ladder.
This is the bloke who, after all, admitted he had not heard what his then boss Julia Gillard had said, but he agreed with it regardless.
Labor is probably too close to an election to change leaders (although members of the Left might be doing some informal numbers - it was reported key leaders in the Left were prepared to back Mr Shorten should delegates push for a no-turn-back clause).
Historically, federal governments are rarely one-term, so despite Prime Minister Tony Abbott's unpopularity in many circles, Mr Shorten faces an uphill battle for the keys to the Lodge.
So it is most likely Mr Shorten will lead Labor to the next election and take one for the team.
But if he loses, it is almost certain he will feel the pointy end of the blade he used on Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
Mr Shorten has often been critiqued for playing a small target and not standing for anything.
His bold policy moves this week have changed that and it will be an interesting year as we build to the next election.
Finally some debate on big issues.