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What Australia’s political chameleons can learn from this Madagascan reptile

Andy Marks Commentator November 20, 2025 — 3.30pm

With a lifespan of typically just five months, Labord’s chameleon, native to southern Madagascar, is among the world’s shortest-lived creatures. That record might be under threat.

In recent days, the Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin has been ousted. The position of his NSW counterpart, Mark Speakman, is vulnerable. And NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders has resigned, giving way to Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh.

Meanwhile, federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley maintains, at best, a tenuous grip on her job as her party wrestles with internal rifts and poor polling.

Until recently, it seemed Australian politics ha

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