It was in early July that Prime Minister Scott Morrison first rolled out and trumpeted his new four-step plan to pave the way out of lockdowns. Having been at times overshadowed during the pandemic by the nation’s state and territory leaders, it was the Prime Minister’s attempt to reclaim a national approach alongside national leadership.

While he managed to get all the states to sign up, the moment of unity has proven fleeting. With the NSW outbreak beyond any chance of being quickly quashed, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has struck out on her own to an extent, offering Sydneysiders the prospect of some relief from restrictions by the end of the month, well before the agreed target of 70 per cent of eligible adults vaccinated.

This has been a recurrent theme for Mr Morrison. Unwilling to shoulder the responsibility for hotel quarantine, and unable to influence the closing of borders and lockdowns by the states, the federal government has often found itself sidelined and frustrated during critical times.

There are reasons for Canberra’s impotence. To this day, the genesis of Australia’s federation ensures the states are no weaklings relative to the national government. But power as stated in the laws of the land is often no match for power fortified by personal authority and clearly articulated plans at a national level. The bully pulpit of the prime ministership is a powerful thing, if used judiciously.

Too often, that is where the Prime Minister has fallen short. Whether it be arguing the case for broader economic reform, harnessing efforts to combat a natural disaster such as bushfires, forging a case for stronger action on climate change or persuading women he “gets” their concerns over sexual assault and harassment, Mr Morrison can find himself at sea when striving to mobilise the support of the broader community. That is a position effective prime ministers – you would have to think back to John Howard and Bob Hawke – never like to find themselves in.

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It is not as if the Morrison government has not had its wins. Its approaches to aged care and mental health have been commendable, and its efforts in keeping the economy afloat during the worst of the pandemic last year were a textbook case of sound policy.

But with an election to be held next year, Mr Morrison’s weaknesses as a leader during a period of profound challenges have become clear. The slow vaccination program is the most obvious. His recent unwillingness to take a position on workplace vaccine mandates despite appeals from businesses for clarity also stands out, as does his slow walking on stronger action to tackle climate change.

As Age political columnist Niki Savva revealed this week, Mr Morrison is showing signs of frustration and fatigue. During a robust private discussion over financial aid for NSW, he was reduced to hurling the F-bomb at the state’s Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet.