The new government is looking to raise the tone in parliament, which sits for the first time since last year’s election next week. ALP backbenchers report that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has told MPs and ministers to avoid barbed replies or hubris during Question Time, partly to embarrass the previous government.

During the final years of the Howard government in particular, Coalition frontbenchers such as Peter Costello, Tony Abbott and Alexander Downer regularly taunted the then Opposition with what Labor argued was little restraint from the Speaker. But despite the still smarting Labor MPs, it is understood Mr Rudd has ordered his ministers that there should be no payback.

How long will they be able to maintain a facade of civil behaviour? I give it maybe a couple of weeks. Vengeance, and the ability to have a crack at the former government members, will just prove too much of a temptation for some Labor MPs. (And of course, having said they intend to be good boys and girls, won’t the opposition be trying to bait them into losing their temper?).

Update: (11/2/08) – Hey, I got a mention in Crikey – such is the weight of my political insight.