Breaking: Abbott leadership challenge

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 88 comments
Categories: australian politics, uncategorized - Tags: ,

Update: Abbott is gone, Turnbull won 54-44.

Update:

This photograph apparently sums up Julia Gillard’s current emotional state …

gillard-laughing

88 comments on “Breaking: Abbott leadership challenge”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

    1. 1.1

      Came out of nowhere ?

      The by election next Saturday is looking a dire result in a safe Liberal seat. No nowhere about it.

      1. 1.2.1

        I mean this specific challenge seem to come out of nowhere. Obviously he faced off challenges earlier in the year – but there had been rumblings for over a week before that came to a head.

        Apparently there were ‘rumours’ on Monday morning, and by Monday afternoon it was publicly announced and he was gone by midnight. Very quick.

        1. 1.2.1.1

          He lost it in cabinet, last week. It hit the fan big time by Wednesday, and he was a goner at that point. There a in depth analysis being worked on by the ABC as we speak.

  5. 5

    Funny Murdoch was calling for a snap election the other week. Dont think he meant for the liberal leadership ?

    For technical reasons the full election timings are this:

    ” As the terms of half the senators end on 30 June 2017, the writs for a half-Senate election cannot be issued earlier than 1 July 2016, and the earliest possible date for a simultaneous House/half-Senate election is 6 August 2016″- Wikipedia

    The latest they can go is 14th january 2017, and the other possibility of a ‘double dissolution’ ( very rare) would only be between 11may and 16 July 2016

    2. 6.2

      “Better for the ALP”. Maybe, but the ALP is not a lot better than the Liberals, sadly. What Australia needs more than anything is an Aussie Jeremy Corbyn to take control of the ALP.

  9. 9

    One right wing nutter will get dethroned and another right wing goon will take his place…..to keep working for the Wealthy, the Corporates and the 1% ers. Their styles may change, but the selfish crap values will remain. Will be business as usual!

    1. 9.1

      I’m more uneasy about Turnbull than Abbott. I don’t think that Abbott can actually be dumb, he was a Rhodes scholar I think, but he has a very odd public persona and beyond his social conservatism it is hard to see a clear economic or political position. Turnbull, however, is more urbane, and seems more likely to effectively court the soft liberals while quietly kicking the unions and the poor. Like Cameron, who courted the NME generation, and Key who poses as a centrist. This type is harder to beat, and capable of doing more damage.

      1. 9.1.1

        Great points. Very perceptive.

        That is why I trust Labour leaders like Corbyn, Sanders, Anderton, Little. They seem more authentic and trustworthy. I don’t think these would ever be such shameful, treacherous agents of capitalism and traitorous to the socialist cause as Douglas, Prebble etc were while working with the despicable, disgraceful wealthy outside gang from within.

      2. 9.1.2

        I have to agree Olwyn. Good comments.

        At this point it looks like the spill gives the Liberals a decent shot at winning the next election which is in just 11 months time.

        Turnbull will get six months honeymoon, and a lot of business and media support. He’ll clean up the Abbott’s pig-headed legacy on climate change and same-sex marriage.

        That will be enough to swing the numbers – and I don’t see Shorten cutting mustard. Having said that the by-election in Canning this weekend will be a very big indicator of how the Australian electorate reads all of this.

        1. 9.1.2.1

          Turnbull’s claim that he will run a “…thoroughly Liberal government” committed to freedom, the individual and the market,” along with his praise of John Key suggest that Australia unfortunately now has its own version of the incremental radical at the helm. And I agree that Shorten looks unlikely to be a match for him. True to form, he will immediately take the little bit of progressive ground that Shorten thinks he can afford and leave him floundering and equivocating.

          On the positive side, Turnbull looks as if he will have his job cut out uniting his party, and the combination of Corbyn’s UK victory and Shorten’s shortcomings may see a push for Albinese arising in Labor circles.

          1. 9.1.2.1.1

            Early poll:

            IN an incredible early lift in the polls, a majority of Labor voters said Malcolm Turnbull is a better Prime Minister over Bill Shorten

            A snap Morgan poll conducted today on who Australian voters think is the better PM found Mr Turnbull is preferred by 70 per cent of voters compared to 24 per cent for Bill Shorten.

            The special Snap SMS poll of 1204 voters also found a majority of Labor supporters say Mr Turnbull is the better leader, with 50 per cent supporting him compared to 44 per cent supporting Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

            “Turnbull leads clearly amongst both genders, across all States and Territories and leads Shorten across supporters of both major parties,” Gary Morgan said.

            “Greens supporters have also swung behind the new Prime Minister: Turnbull 57 per cent; Shorten 38 per cent.’’

            http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/live/liberal-leadership-malcolm-turnbull-takes-over-as-prime-minister/story-fnvc7dad-1227527418031

            1. 9.1.2.1.1.1

              It is now against Labor Party rules to change leaders between elections, and Turnbull only needs to maintain moderation of the populist kind for 11 months. Australia has so far managed to limit the neoliberal potential for wrecking people’s lives, but I fear that this is about to change, though Turnbull will still face more obstacles there than he would here, with the senate to get past and more politicians who cross the floor, etc.

      1. 10.1.1

        Same personality, both oblivious to what’s going on around them.

        Seem to be both blinded by this perceived aura of awesomeness.

        2. 10.1.1.2

          I never thought too much of David Cunliffe, but to compare him to Abbot is unkind.

          Abbot is more like an Australian version of Colin Craig.

        4. 10.1.1.4

          BM you need to go hang out with your other ‘friends’ – you know this lining up at the fence and hurling taunts at people who think differently to you only increases penile dishfunktion. Yes I know you know how to spell that….

    3. 10.3

      Except that Abbot is a shallow useless rightie who got in by exploiting dissent within Labour and whose economic policies are, pound for pound almost as bad as Bill English’s. More importantly, only the right in NZ feared Cunliffe – but pretty much everybody in Oz has nothing but contempt for Abbott.

  13. 13

    TurnBULL’s statements ! :

    ‘We can’t cut our way to prosperity. We have to build it’

    ‘This leadership election will be an extraordinary demonstration of grassroots democracy and public participation, which will turn the conventional wisdom about politics on its head.’

    ‘Who can now seriously claim that young people aren’t interested in politics or that there is no appetite for a new kind of politics? Above all, it has shown that millions of people want a real alternative, not business as usual, either inside or outside our party’

    ‘The hope of change and bringing big ideas in is now back at the centre of politics: ending austerity, tackling inequality, working for peace and social justice at home and abroad. That’s why our party was founded more than a century ago’

    ‘My election will give our founding purpose a new force for the 21st century: a party that gives voice to the 99%’

    ‘I will fight and win on the basis of policies, not personalities, without abuse or rancour. For the absolute avoidance of doubt, my leadership will be about unity, drawing on all the talents – with women representing half of the shadow cabinet – and working together at every level of the party’

    ‘We can create a new kind of politics: kinder, more respectful, but courageous, too. We make things possible by campaigning for change. We can change minds, we can change politics, we can make things better’

    ‘Everybody aspires to an affordable home, a secure job, better living standards, reliable healthcare and a decent pension. My generation took those things for granted and so should future generations’

    ‘Trade unions are a force for good – a force for a more equal society.’

    ‘It is clear, too, that the government will soon again be asking us to bomb Syria. That won’t help refugees, it will create more. Isis is utterly abhorrent and President Assad’s regime has committed appalling crimes. But we must also oppose Saudi bombs falling on Yemen and the Bahraini dictatorship murdering its democracy movement, armed by us. Our role is to campaign for peace and disarmament around the world’

    ‘Our job is to show that the economy and our society can be made to work for everyone. That means ensuring we stand up against injustice wherever we find it and we fight for a fairer and more democratic future that meets the needs of all’

    ‘“The most important message my election offers to the millions is that our party is now unequivocally on their side. We understand aspiration and we understand that it is only collectively that our aspirations can be realised.”
    ———————————-

    Turnbull? Nah, Just kidding! That was Corbyn, not Turnbull, in an exclusive newspaper article today,

    The full article with ‘correct quotes’ is here.
    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/13/jeremy-corbyn-labour-leadership-victory-vision

  14. 14

    https://www.rt.com/news/195820-abbott-putin-shirtfront-judo/

    This Abbott fellow, wasn’t he the one who wanted to shirtfront Putin at an international conference? Clearly a crackpot?

    I think this was the Grauniad article that made me realise he had to go.

    http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/17/for-tony-abbott-its-full-steam-ahead-on-coal-the-foundation-of-prosperity

    Too bad for Oz he may be replaced by someone more plausible if not actually more competent and keep the Right in power.

    1. 20.1

      A cow is turned over the moon by a bull on Musth. A bishop lends a hand. All is shamefully under hand and dirty down under.

  22. 22

    The best part is, he misses out on his primeministerial pension by 4 days – he would have qualified for it on Friday.

    I pick Scott Morrison to challenge Turnbull after the dust has settled, and he is scarier than Abbott-truly nasty.

    2. 22.2

      Technically Abbott stays as PM until formally resigning to GG and Turnbull being sworn in with his new cabinet. Expect that to take at least 4 days or so.

  27. 27

    This is an extremely well timed shift in Australasian power for the Paris Climate Change talks coming up. Remember, Turnbull was axed from the leadership of the Liberals last time because he vehemently wanted to support the Labour Government in its carbon tax programme. After he was thrown out, he wrote an excoriating condemnation of Abbott and the Liberal’s stance on climate change, saying:

    “While a shadow minister, Tony Abbott, was never afraid of speaking bluntly in a manner that was at odds with Coalition policy. So as I am a humble backbencher I am sure he won’t complain if I tell a few home truths about the farce that the Coalition’s policy, or lack of policy, on climate change has descended into.

    “… any suggestion that you can dramatically cut emissions without any cost is, to use a favourite term of Mr Abbott, ‘bullshit’. Moreover he knows it.”

    That’s only a snippet of it.

    So while he may well praise our Prime Minister John Key for his communicative clarity, Key as the vastly junior partner is going to have to come up with something that looks pretty damn credible for the Paris talks, or be vastly out of step with Australia as our regional leader.

  28. 28

    Turnbull’s background is very similar to Key — single parent family, modest background, self made millionaire, poses as a party moderate..

    He is even (supposedly) an all round likeable chap, who one would have a beer with, apparently. He will probably implement his government’s plans more slowly and subtly rather than ram it through with brute force like Abbott and Hockey.

    I fear the Coalition has just won the 2016 (and possible the 2019) election.

      1. 28.1.1

        Funny how that sentence sends chills up my spin Tracey. The same self styled mad men are in charge all across the western world.

            1. 28.1.1.1.1.1

              What is factual is the bigotry and prejudice shown against white people and male people…

              Tracey you would be first to complain if someone referenced Helen Clark’s womanly nature in a negative context, and so too you would be if someone referenced Obama’s blackness in a negative context.

              SNAFU lady, SNAFU

              1. 28.1.1.1.1.1.1

                womanly nature?

                lady?

                Are you white and male per chance? Genuine question.

                Prejudice against white men? It’s not reflected in salaries or job opportunites vto.

                1. 28.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

                  Don’t you like the words “womanly nature” and “lady”?

                  Exhibited in the comments of you and Adam above is clear prejudgment about Turnbull on the basis of his race and his gender. Mind you – to be expected of a white middle class lefty woman in aotearoa.

  29. 29

    Aotearoa is run by a former head of Merrill,
    Australia by a former head of Goldman Sachs.

    They will be breaking out California Red in Canberra.

  30. 30

    I’ve been critical of Phil Quin over the last few days, but the bloke does have his uses at times. Having been thoroughly immersed in Aussie Labour politics, he has one or two interesting insights (albeit from the jaundiced eye of the ALP factional Right).

    On Turnbull, he’s tweeted “Turnbull is a (sic) far better attuned than Abbott to the Australian political centre, but carries more than a touch of Rudditis. Very mockable.” (referring, of course, to our Kevie).

    Followed by “Rudditis: rapacious ego layered atop insatiable adulation cravings encased in a thin skin.”

    1. 30.1

      ““Rudditis: rapacious ego layered atop insatiable adulation cravings encased in a thin skin.””

      And yet here we love that in our leader…

  31. 31

    Millsy & Wairau, my thoughts exactly.

    Theres an irony in the right putting in a more re-electable business leader at the bottom of the South Pacific at the same time that the British are putting in the complete opposite at Labour. (and the US Democrats might even do the same with Bernie Sanders if they are smart)

    So its big business verses the little guy. Clearly one option will be the winning one, and one will not be, but we will have to wait and see whats cooking at the electorate level to get the result.

    So far I would say its big business 2, and little guys 0. Tsipras in Greece really failed in his fight and Maduro is fighting major headwinds too as Chavez did before him.

    Perhaps theres a better way to fight the power of the banking sector?

    1. 31.1

      Look at what China, Russia and Iran are doing – beginning to trade in local currencies not the USD, constructing alternative financial transaction and settlement systems, building alternatives to western financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF.

      1. 31.1.1

        Yep CV, and what happened next?

        The Russians were pushing to a non-US currency as the default for oil, and their own currency collapsed shortly after.

        I cant comment on the mess in the Chinese currency and stock markets as I would have thought it was too large to suffer a messing around from outside of China.

        Look at the Venezuelan economy with all the oil?

        I guess Im a certified tinfoil hat wearer.

  32. 32

    Be careful what you wish for

    ” government” committed to freedom, the individual and the market” Turnbull September 2015

    55-44 is NOT resounding.

    1. 32.1

      No the numbers say one thing – fear.

      The liberals are scared they going to fall over.

      They get laughed at on the streets.

      Personally, that is what we should be doing to national,stop the name calling.

      When ever you see a minister. Just start laughing at them.

  36. 36

    Fear wins. Abbott carried a real fear they’d possibly loose to Bill shortens labour next election.

    Also Abbott and hockey have been fn useless and done nothing so no choice for the backers really.

  37. 37

    why do people allways want me to pay for everything i only earn 70k and two kids. the standard always want everyone to pay

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