Recently, the Treasurer announced some modest changes to his proposed reforms to make the taxation of superannuation fairer.

But with no real consideration of the significance of these changes, the Canberra press gallery was obsessed with what it described as a major backflip. The Australian , for example, called Jim Chalmer's announcement "a dramatic backdown", and even the esteemed Michelle Grattan called the announcement " a major retreat " driven by Anthony Albanese.

As the gallery sees it, Chalmers was rolled by an ever-timid Albanese, with consequently bad portents for any future reforms by an Albanese-led government.

Rather than analyse the significance and merits of the changes, the gallery's reports were focused on the politics of the changes. And the gallery is unanimous.

See Full Page