Is our foreign minister about to jump ship? So went the rumours, recently, around the press gallery, in Canberra.

Elsewhere, too, people have tried to diminish Penny Wong. The fact that she hasn’t  visited the Middle East, since she landed the job of foreign minister, 18 months ago? It’s just not good enough, according to the opposition. And why isn't she doing more to broker peace in the Middle East?

But for a staggering amount of ordinary Australians, Penny Wong is something of a unicorn. Not only one of the most highly regarded politicians in the country. But someone whom they would happily have mind their children.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on what accounts for the great divide between public and political judgement, when it comes to Penny Wong. And what drives the second most powerful person in our country.