The Federal Opposition Leader was put under the microscope for the second day at the Royal Commission into the trade union movement.

Mr Shorten faced a barrage of conflict of interest allegations over informal deals struck with employers which delivered millions of dollars to the Australian Workers Union while he was secretary in the 2000s.

A range of employer-union deals dating back more than 10 years were covered during the second day of proceedings but it was the intervention of Commissioner Dyson Heydon that really set tongues wagging.

Commissioner Heydon warned Mr Shorten that his credibility as a witness was at risk due to the Labor leader using the inquiry as a political platform.

Leaving all allegations aside, the Commissioner’s point about the Opposition Leader’s communication style has merit.

Mr Shorten often comes across as flowery and lacking in conviction. His long-winded answers confirmed in some minds that Mr Shorten was another politician incapable of giving a straight answer. 

Comedian Shaun Micallef infamously pointed out Mr Shorten’s penchant for cracking jokes about topical issues but the gags often fell flat.

Mr Shorten has been given one of those rare political gifts- a prime minister with a popularity rating between tepid and ice cold.

The problem for the Opposition Leader is that his rapport with the Australian public is starting to freeze over.

SEVEN decades ago in the thick of World War II, Warrnambool’s Dudley Hemmings put his life on the line flying dangerous air raids in search of German invaders.

The 97-year-old was recognised in a division of France’s Legion d'Honneur this week along with his fellow surviving war veterans.

As Peter Collins writes in today’s edition of The Standard, French ambassador Christope Lecourtier told 26 recipients at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance they were national treasures for their efforts in liberating France in World War II.

Mr Hemmings was the oldest in the group of proud recipients. His health prevented him from accepting an invitation to participate in anniversary celebrations in France last year.

"I don't think of myself as a treasure - I did my bit for the war effort," he told The Standard.

Mr Hemmings was from a generation that served their country without seeking recognition or reward.

That particular quality is becoming less and less prevalent in the modern world of social media and superficial fame.

As the French would say: travail bien fait. Job well done, Dudley.