The Australian media and politics are often captured by relatively trivial matters that attract a frenzy of interest for a week or so, only to totally disappear from view again. The difference this time is that Peter Reith will remain a story. No-one will be interested in anything of substance that he has to say. He may have one of the thickest hides in Canberra but that type of permanent assault has got to be debilitating. Given Reith entered politics determined to make a difference, it will be even more frustrating that he now has even less chance of providing anything more useful than sport for his many enemies.
Little things win.