The speech that cannot save the Prime Minister
Tony Abbott pitches for his political life but will it be enough?
But in looking to his own future, Abbott reached back to the past in a speech heavy with familiar slogans even as he confessed to political mistakes and promised to do better.reac
What Abbott's MPs will have been looking for were clear signs of a contrite prime minister with a clear plan – and the political courage – to set a new course for his government.
Abbott gave some of the necessary signals as he ditched the friendless paid parental leave policy and showed contrition for controversial "captain's calls" on that scheme and the knighthood for Prince Philip.
But after clinging to the PPL for so long, many MPs believe that decision was more about saving his prime ministership than setting a new and better policy direction.
The speech may not be enough to save Abbott's leadership but in reality, it is nigh on impossible for any political leader to "reset" and save themselves in a single speech.
Liberal MPs, already furious and fearing the federal government is headed for a Queensland-style electoral wipe out, will still be pondering how much has changed after a speech that was rarely inspiring.
Abbott's hammered time and again key messages from the years prior to the the 2013 election included the need to reduce debt and deficit, the Coalition's now-successful pledge to stop the boats and the axing of the carbon tax.
Abbott stressed that we are "all on a journey to build a better Australia".
At times, he appeared to get bogged down as he admitted the government needed to better explain its narrative.
More needed to be said about his vision for the future.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-pitches-for-his-political-life-but...
