A common response from progressive Australians to electoral defeat is to threaten to move to New Zealand. 

Just what moving to a country with a weaker economy, worse weather and a conservative government is supposed to achieve is typically left unsaid. 

There is no doubt that if he sticks to his word there will be plenty for progressives to complain about in the next few years.

But at the same time, a close look at what many members of his new backbench want, and an even closer look at the composition of the new crossbench in the Senate, suggests there is a wide range of areas where substantial progressive reform may be possible.