Prime Minister Tony Abbott's political survival is hanging by a thread, with internal party dissent threatening to topple his government less than 18 months after a landslide election victory. A recent party room vote on a leadership spill exposed deep fractures within the Liberal Party, with 39 votes cast against the Prime Minister.
The spill vote, described by Abbott as a 'chastening experience', came amid widespread discontent over unpopular policies and poor polling in marginal seats. Former government whip Phillip Ruddock confirmed the result: 61 votes for Abbott, 39 against, signalling a significant haemorrhage of support.
Liberal MP Dennis Jensen noted that the Prime Minister and his team had expected fewer dissenting votes, while Queensland LNP Senator Ian MacDonald criticised the government for failing to consider the political consequences of its decisions. 'If you're not in government to do the right thing, it's all to no avail,' MacDonald said.
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, widely viewed as an alternative prime minister, has seen a resurgence driven by Abbott's unpopularity in key marginal seats. At a recent community event on the New South Wales Central Coast, Turnbull faced direct questions about his leadership intentions, though he publicly affirmed loyalty to Abbott.
Former Howard government minister Amanda Vanstone warned that if things do not change, 'the party room will'. The Prime Minister has since attempted to stabilise his position by abandoning several controversial policies, but observers say the unrest is far from over.
Presenter Kerry O'Brien summed up the dilemma: 'A story of political survival in two parts: survival of the Prime Minister; survival of the Government. Can there be both?'
