Abbott to Turnbull has been a disaster

[Redneck]

Yep a total bloody disaster!


The move to swap Tony Abbott for Malcolm Turnbull has been close to a disaster

Ross Fitzgerald



The business of politics is a matter of the utmost seriousness for many Australians. As Paul Keating famously used to say, if you change the government you change the country. Yet, for the dedicated follower, the political game also provides experiences and entertainment akin to theatre.

A great source of fun is the observation of the speeches of leaders when an election result is known. Traditionally the winners promise to govern "for all Australians". But what the ordinary punters receive is often something else again!

Occasionally, election night speeches provide unforgettable rhetoric. Malcolm Turnbull's this year was most revealing – especially in regard to what was missing. Were there a few words of thanks and sympathy for the half dozen or so individuals who had voted for his replacement of Tony Abbott, only to lose their seats? Not a word. Rather there was an expression of barely contained rage at the Australian people for having rewarded the election strategy of his Labor opponents. So incensed was Turnbull that we, his fellow Australians, had not previously seen up close and personal the extraordinary superiority which he sees in himself so that any consideration of the sacrifice of other party members did not seem to occur to him.

As a new year is about to begin it is worthwhile to consider the impact on the Coalition government and on the nation of the decision of a majority of Turnbull's colleagues to replace Tony Abbott – the person whom the Australian people had endorsed to lead the country. On the balance of the ledger, the results of that decision have been close to a disaster.

In the main, the media clearly rejected the first Abbott/Hockey budget. Yet some of its derided provisions now seem very mild by comparison with what has followed.

Turnbull has embarked on the first effort of any government in our recent history to systematically reduce the living standards of many elderly Australians. The affect on the old age pension of tens of thousands will begin to be felt in the next couple of weeks. In addition, the reduction in living standards of tens of thousands of former public servants cut in a year ago.

It is all very well to state "But wait – some will get more!" That is no solace whatever to those who will have to cut back or remove the small assistances which they had undertaken to give their offspring or grandchildren. The heartache felt by all the elderly involved is, simply, unforgettable and unforgivable.

Many elderly Australians, conservative in their thinking, voted for Abbott and now see themselves as having been betrayed by Turnbull. His misjudgment in this matter has proven similar to his infamous taking at face value the information provided by one Godwin Grech, which proved fundamental in Turnbull's original loss of the Liberal Party leadership.

Moreover Turnbull's unconsummated flirtation with clear and positive responses to climate change, marriage equality and the movement to an Australian republic has left those who had hopes for him in those areas frustrated and angry. Yet, at the same time, Turnbull raising and resurrecting these controversial issues is creating deep suspicions in the traditional conservative base of his party.

These suspicions are being felt particularly in Queensland where support for the Coalition is in free fall while Pauline Hanson (whose message has at least the virtue of consistency) is watching her star rise again.

Turnbull's performance in opinion polls is currently lower than that which saw him replace Abbott and, given the current trajectory, his government appears doomed to a Bill Shorten victory-by-default.

As a consequence, it seems highly possible that his party will depose Turnbull in March or April with an early federal election to follow shortly after the coup.

If this occurs, what will be his legacy? As one pundit wryly put it, Turnbull's major achievement was simply to have been prime minister.

Ross Fitzgerald is an author and emeritus professor of history and politics at Griffith University.

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-move- ... tios1.html

[LEFTWINGER supreme]

The GG really needs to sack them

[IQS.RLOW]

The GG really needs to sack them

Are you demonstrating your complete lack of understanding of the Westminister system or your complete lack of brains?

[Redneck]

Some Comments

6 comments
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liklikDec 28 2016 at 1:02pm
"The move to swap Tony Abbott for Malcolm Turnbull has been close to a disaster"

It was always going to be thus but still better than the alternative Shorten. Turnbull's "flirtation with clear and positive responses to climate change, marriage equality and the movement to an Australian republic", are precisely the issues that are hurting his popularity with Coalition supporters.


DagsDec 28 2016 at 1:24pm
What has been particularly interesting is that despite his one earlier attempt at leading the party being an abject failure, people still expected him to be a good leader. On what basis? When has he ever been a successful leader? He led the Republican movement too and that failed.

There seems to be some idea that a successful businessman will naturally make a good leader. I think we have the answer to that.


A country galDec 28 2016 at 1:50pm
Yes Ross, his ahem concession speech was an insight. Most revealing, I stayed up wondering if he was ever going to appear and face the music, then when he eventually did- what a spray.
I trust your crystal ball's on the money for a March or April obliteration.
But I'll be surprised if it's a Shorten win by default. He might not be there either, or alternatively we may see a lot more crossbenchers or he will win in his own right.
As for Pensioners, they knew of these Howard welfare cuts prior to the last election.
Being able to have $800k in assets as well as your home is hardly being on the last bones of your a*#^.
This and the Ex's Govt has been far harsher on many others in the community. How can we forget Abetz's policy of no dole for six months. Cuts to Indigenous Legal and Health services, and imposing cashless cards for welfare, DV and women's shelters cuts, Medicare... The list goes on.
And who on earth can they replace Magnificon with, the cupboard is bare.
What a mess, what a shambles, what a betrayal. Yep, some legacy.


DiffaNoosa,Dec 28 2016 at 2:16pm
Agree. Turnbull has personified disappointment.
Both the right and left are justifiably suspicion of him and highlight why power for powers sake has become his poison chalice.
michaelmgBrisbane,Dec 28 2016 at 2:44pm

He has reintroduced Cabinet Government which in the long run will work well. The right wing prefer to see the country trashed rather than the elected Cabinet be given a reasonable opportunity to govern. Unbelievable egos for people with such modest intellects.

AntonSydney,Dec 28 2016 at 3:33pm
"On the balance of the ledger, the results of that decision have been close to a disaster."

The statement makes no sense, the LNP was re-elected which was not going to happen on their course and speed at the time.

Ross also seems to confuse personal positions with party policies. Surprising given his credentials.

[Neferti]

Redneck,

Have you learned to copy and paste News items without a comment (except for HIGHLIGHTING stuff) from Rorschach?

This is NOT debating, or even making a comment, you are copying some Newspaper person's comments. WHY would that make anybody interested enough to REPLY?

I think that we are all capable of Googling and reading the News online ... we don't need to have the ENTIRE article cut and pasted as though we are dimwits.

1. Start a new thread
2. Make a comment about the Item so that we know where YOU stand.
3. Add the URL and pictures.
4. Then you could perhaps ask for comments ....

New threads that consist ONLY of a copy and paste of something "in the News", won't get people discussing (or debating) ... WE have already read that stuff .... give us something to "discuss", such as YOUR comments about the article.

EG. This thread, you started, is "Turnbull and Abbott has been a disaster". (it should be "have" but who cares, I tend to agree anyhow).

Your ONLY comment is "yep a bloody disaster" ... followed by the cut & paste Article.

Apart from the ALP being voted in, do you have ANY IDEA what needs to be done?

[LEFTWINGER supreme]

Redneck,

Have you learned to copy and paste News items without a comment (except for HIGHLIGHTING stuff) from Rorschach?

This is NOT debating, or even making a comment, you are copying some Newspaper person's comments. WHY would that make anybody interested enough to REPLY?

I think that we are all capable of Googling and reading the News online ... we don't need to have the ENTIRE article cut and pasted as though we are dimwits.

1. Start a new thread
2. Make a comment about the Item so that we know where YOU stand.
3. Add the URL and pictures.
4. Then you could perhaps ask for comments ....

New threads that consist ONLY of a copy and paste of something "in the News", won't get people discussing (or debating) ... WE have already read that stuff .... give us something to "discuss", such as YOUR comments about the article.

EG. This thread, you started, is "Turnbull and Abbott has been a disaster". (it should be "have" but who cares, I tend to agree anyhow).

Your ONLY comment is "yep a bloody disaster" ... followed by the cut & paste Article.

Apart from the ALP being voted in, do you have ANY IDEA what needs to be done?

Goodness me

[Neferti]

So? Do have anything worthwhile to add, POLITICALLY, Leftwinger?


Thought not.

[LEFTWINGER supreme]

So? Do have anything worthwhile to add, POLITICALLY, Leftwinger?


Thought not.

Mal should hold himself to the same standard he knifed the basher over and stand down because of consistently poor newspoll results

[Neferti]

So? Do have anything worthwhile to add, POLITICALLY, Leftwinger?


Thought not.

Mal should hold himself to the same standard he knifed the basher over and stand down because of consistently poor newspoll results

Turncoat is a PITA. I don't like him and never will vote for Liberal while he is the Leader. Abbott made too many mistakes and made a fool of himself.

The alternative (Shortdick) is even worse.

Newspolls are useless ... the ONLY poll that matters is when we all go and vote.

Oh, did I read that they might actually give us "biros" next time we have to vote, instead of "pencils"?

[Outlaw Yogi]

Welcome to Ozzy politics Italian style ... where the leader's competence is only surpassed by the number of times they are dumped and replaced.

So what should we expect next time 'round?

My guess is greater support for the likes of Hanson & Co, Team Xenaphon and the Greens.
The real danger here is the Greens being able to push through their 'Proportional Representation' agenda. Then it'll no longer be Ozzy politics Italian style, it'll be Ozzy politics PNG style - where nothing gets done because nobody can agree on anything.

IMO the best thing the Libs can do is reinstall Tony Abbot.
If Shorten gets in we may as well quit working and all go on the dole.