Comments about Julia Gillard’s appearance aren’t a phallocentric plot. Think Ron Boswell. He makes Curley from The Three Stooges look smooth.

It’s a simple fact. If someone’s looks jar with us, we won’t listen to their message.

Julia Gillard gives a damned good stump speech. Her parliamentary performances – particularly in the cut and thrust of Question Time and when she clashes with Tony Abbott in their roles as their party’s managers of business in the House – show strength and wit.

But when she seemed to be sporting an Aladdin Sane haircut which was guaranteed to clash with whatever colours she wore, the effect was so startling that you never paid attention to anything she said.

It’s been fascinating to watch the changes this year. Julia Gillard now not only means business. She looks as if she means business.