It’s early days, but this ad from the weekend papers will probably rate as the week’s wildest act of unfettered optimisim:

Liberal Party of Australia
Western Australian Division
STATE DIRECTOR
Location – West Perth. Strategic, advisory and creative role. Challenging and demanding opportunity.
The State Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the WA Division of the Liberal Party of Australia reporting to the State President and Management Executive of the Party.
In this important and challenging role, you will lead and manage a small administration and professional staff, direct election campaigns, provide services to the membership and office-bearers, and give advice and assistance to the State and Federal parliamentary parties.
Campaign experience, excellent political judgment, sound financial and administrative management, business networking abilities, diplomacy and resilience, and exceptional communication skills are required.
A wide range of senior executive backgrounds could be appropriate, including management of a professional or industry association, senior political staff experience or a leadership role in commerce.
Salary and conditions are competitive and negotiable and designed to attract high calibre candidates.
A job description is available by request to vicky.moore@wa.liberal.org.au
Applications by 30 May 2008

Challenging and demanding is fair enough, but opportunity? Good luck with that. And put that chair down.