The Paris paradox: Why Albanese can’t send Shorten to France just yet

After more than a decade of hopping on the plane and flying from suburban Moonee Ponds to the even more suburban bush capital, who could begrudge Shorten, wife Chloe and their family a three-year sojourn in the city of love?

The Harry Seidler-designed Australian embassy in Paris, on the banks of the majestic river Seine, offers stunning views of the Eiffel Tower just a few hundred metres away.

But when the Paris posting rumour resurfaced on Thursday – “senior public service chiefs” had discussed it! Shorten’s wife is actually called Clothilde and speaks French! – Shorten was ready with a bon motif of his own when he took a question about the NDIS.

As Shorten stepped to the dispatch box, Peter Dutton leaned over to ask if there would be any French in the answer?

There would be “no au revoir today my friend” Shorten shot back at the opposition leader, causing both sides of the House to erupt in laughter at the trademark zinger.

Chris Bowen couldn’t resist a quick jab at Dutton about his role in approving visas for a couple of well-connected au pairs in the last term of parliament, either.

The mirth capped off a hectic, hard-charging fortnight that has left most MPs exhausted and happy to head off in their Comcars to the airport.

The Shorten for Paris rumour may come true (there is also a persistent rumour that Julie Bishop could get the posting).

For months, government spokespeople insisted that Kevin Rudd would never be named our man in Washington – it was simply wasn’t true until, one day, it was.

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Somewhat surprisingly, the NDIS spokesman is headed to Switzerland next month to represent Australia at a Ukraine peace conference summit, too.

If Albanese did offer Shorten the Paris post, before the former union leader said “oui” he would have to accept he could never be prime minister.

And though Shorten might be a little outside the circle of trust in the Albanese government, his approach to politics has always been “je ne regrette rien”.

Hence, “no au revoir today”.