On the Monday morning after the federal election, the sun rose over Spring Street and the inhabitants of the curious little village of Morwell went about their business seemingly oblivious to the broader goings-on of the outside world.

Premier Jacinta Allan rose early, slipped on her favourite high-vis vest, laced up a pair of steel-capped boots and resumed the position at a Big Build construction site. Opposition Leader Brad Battin rose even earlier, drove out to Morwell and promised (yet again) to put more young people in jail.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Opposition Leader Brad Battin could absorb some lessons from the federal campaign.Credit: Various

It could have been any Monday in Victorian state politics. If the premier and opposition leader have their way, it’ll be hard hat and the hardman all the way from here to next November’s state election. But, before we return to politics as usual, let’s pause to reflect on a federal election result that was anything but.

Well-considered Liberal post-mortems are already lined up on this site like Rockettes. Rather than add to the growing canon, what follows is a more concise list of what to do and what not to do if the Victorian Liberal Party wants to form government again.

1. Don’t watch Sky News.

In the 26 years since Sky News Australia began broadcasting, the Victorian Liberal Party has governed for two terms out of nine terms. Is this coincidence or causation? Don’t overthink it. Just don’t watch Sky News.

Whatever Sky News host Peta Credlin says, the Liberal Party should do........

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