As you can tell from their statements, the political class is not amused about the result of the federal election. Forming a government is all too difficult, they complain. There was no clear mandate, and getting bills through both houses of Parliament could become a bit of a nuisance.

The first lesson for anyone wanting to make a big splash in the media is to have a big, scary, shocking number. It’s practically fool proof. Just put out your press release and wait for the phone to ring.

New Zealanders have taken a keen interest in the Australian election, particularly in one character it has thrown up: Bob Katter, for his cowboy hat and colourful turn of phrase and an obsession with bananas.