Abbott's Advantage As Showdown Looms

[icyfroth]

Tony Abbott enters this leadership crisis in a stronger position than those who would replace him for one simple reason: he has a plan to hold his job and they don't have a plan to snatch it. Not yet, anyway.

Malcolm Turnbull is the most viable candidate standing in the wings. The polls say it and the colleagues know it. But he isn't campaigning, not actively anyway.

Julie Bishop is the other option, but also the bigger risk, and she isn't campaigning either. She said so on Tuesday.

 Abbott, on the other hand, is campaigning. He has already played his key card, claiming he has legitimacy of the people's vote just 17 months ago, warning that he will have to be blasted out and reminding colleagues that disunity is death, whoever is in charge. It's a potent message.

Entire Article Here

He's not a Lawyer and he's not an accountant. He's a Firefighter and a Lifesaver.

[cherry*135]

Scott Morrison as Treasurer? Under a new PM.

Australian Financial Review

24 minutes ago

Arthur Sinodinos points to spill ‘next week’

Tony Abbott’s hold on the leadership has deteriorated with former minister and adviser to John Howard, Arthur Sinodinos, refusing to pledge total support or guarantee the Prime Minister will be in the job this time next week.

“Comrade, come and ask me next week,’’ Senator Sinodinos said at the end of an explosive interview on Sky News on Wednesday .

Senator Sinodinos said the government’s direction was flawed but a change of personality alone would not fix its problems.

In what some regarded as a tacit endorsement of Malcolm Turnbull, Senator Sinodinos counselled that if there were to be a change, the replacement must bring with them a strategic shift. At no time did he state Mr Abbott must stay in the job.

Speculation is hardening around a shift to Mr Turnbull as leader, Julie Bishop staying as deputy and Foreign Minister, and Scott Morrison replacing Joe Hockey as Treasurer.

One condition being placed on Mr Turnbull returning is that he does not try to embrace a policy of carbon trading, the issue which split the party and ended his leadership in 2009.

Sources said Mr Turnbull was counselling those approaching him that Mr Abbott should be given time but some believe Mr Abbott will not recover and there was no point waiting.

Senator Sinodinos slammed the previous budget strategy of announcing decisions and then trying to sell them and he called on the government to dump the Medicare co-payment if a successful compromise cannot be quickly reached, rather than persist with it for another six months

http://www.afr.com/p/national/arthur_sinodinos_points_to_spill_CQb62tMOcS3NxiwduqcuII

[poddster]

Ok lefties, here is your chance, predict if there WILL be a leadership challenge and when it will happen.

So stick out your necks if you dare 🙂

Or is it just speculation and wishful thinking

[cherry*135]

By next Wednesday at the latest.

Why do you think others comments are just speculation and wishful thinking. They are based on reports from disgruntled LNP MP's/backbenchers who are speaking direct with media outlets.

Been simmering for awhile.. starting with the sack Peta or else demands. Now near boiling point.

Even Abbott himself has 'accepted' his failings, refuses to go though. Back to fighting fires and surf livesaving..

Wonder if he new PM will sell of those $550 000 bullet proof cars?

[gleee58]

[iapetus_rocks]

I think most "lefties" are hoping that Mr Abbott keeps his job . . . seeing as how he  appears to be unelectable next time around.

and . . . his current predicament couldn't happen to one more deserving. 😉

[gleee58]

Someone dubbed him Captain Wacky

[iapetus_rocks]

Well, there's certainly something wrong with him if he doesn't understand that his policies are alienating the electorate in a big way.

 He has talked his way into a cul de sac and  has demonstrated such political ineptness and insensitivity to the wishes of the Australian people, that he has nowhere to go now  but out on his ears.

[gleee58]

[j*oono]

I think he will be gone very soon and for most of the party the sooner the better.  They need time to recover from the Abbomination before the next election.

If Hockey doesn't know it shows that no one in his party is supporting him either.

[iapetus_rocks]

I almost feel sorry for him. But then again, I don't, because he really is the author of his own destruction.

He is not totally stupid, as Campbell Newman isn't totally stupid.

So, what is going on? Is it that both of them don't really care so much for a future in politics, but care more for the favours they can do for their business mates who will see to it later on that they are well rewarded?

I'm really puzzled. They both introduced policies which any thinking person should have known were political poison.

Perhaps they were both examples of shining honesty and integrity, introducing policies which were totally and absolutely consistent with their respective political philosophies, and the consequences be hanged?

Something to think about for anyone who, in the future, contemplates a vote for the LNP or any of their representatives. . . . did we really just witness an honest and unabashed declaration of what the Coalition parties stand for?