Last week’s resumption of Federal Parliament for the New Year ends the Annual Political twilight zone where characters like acting assistant Treasurer Joe Hockey can soak up the limelight. Hugo Kelly, a former media advisor to Labor Deputy prime Minister Brian Howe, remembers with fondness political summer silly seasons past.

The sweetest thing about advising the Acting Prime Minister is sneaking into the boss’s office while he’s down the parliamentary tennis courts with his chief-of-staff, sweating off Christmas dinner in the hot December torpor.

Once inside, you grab a lite beer from the Acting Prime Ministerial bar fridge, ease into that deep rich leather chair, slide your feet up on the big broad desk, pick up the Phone of Power and call your mates.