The News Corporation tabloids take a second bite of the Galaxy cherry in successive weekends, to mark the occasion of the looming Liberal leadership spill. It confirms last week’s shattering result for Tony Abbott in putting the Labor lead at 57-43. The inevitable questions on voting intention under Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop aren’t quite as dramatic as ReachTEL’s, with Labor maintaining leads of 51-49 under a Turnbull scenario and 53-47 under Bishop. On a straight question of whether Tony Abbott should resign, 55% say yes and 35% say no, in case anyone’s wondering what might distinguish this leadership change from what happened in 2010. Primary votes and such to follow. HT: GhostWhoVotes.
UPDATE: All primary votes were perfectly unchanged on last week, with the Coalition on 36%, Labor on 43%, the Greens on 11% and Palmer United on 3%. A further question found only 24% anticipating that Tony Abbott would lead the Liberals to the next election, compared with 63% who believe he will not.
[urnbull says TA has shown great respect for the partyroom by saying the meeting will be on Tuesday not rushing it to Monday]
In other words, I don’t have the numbers yet Tony but I may by Tuesday.
Another barb from Malcolm saying “You can never consult your party room enough”. A huge complaint from back benchers has been Abbott not bothering.
Straight after Turnbull 24 showed Abbott on his morning jog. One question.
[Do you support Hockey as Treasurer?]
Answer
[Of course]
It might be the jog but Abbott did not look happy to me
Syriza and the French indemnity of 1871-73
European nationalists have successfully convinced us, against all logic, that the European crisis is a conflict among nations, and not among economic sectors.
http://blog.mpettis.com/2015/02/syriza-and-the-french-indemnity-of-1871-73/
Abbott office saying meeting now on Monday. Panic button has been hit.
Meeting now 9AM Monday.
Hilarious. Abbott moves the meeting to Monday, less than an hour after Turnbull commends Abbott for leaving the meeting to Tuesday.
Student politics.
Turnbull just said on Sky :
“I respect the party room. You can never consult with the party room enough”
A direct attack on Tony Abbott and his “Captain’s picks” and a boost for himself with the back bench.
He was able to speak for several minutes without one three word slogan and never mentioned the Labor Party once!
What could this mean? Clearly Abbott wouldn’t be doing this unless he thought it was to his advantage.
With the party room meeting now being tomorrow I wonder if NewsPoll will be rushed out in the morning.
Is there a QT on Monday?
[Remember Abbott saying wtte that they would implement the policy they said they would, not the policy everyone thought they said they would? This showed clearly that they thought the voters of Australia are idiots.]
For sure that was the first (of many) big self inflicted beatings to Abbott and his government’s credibility. “not the policy everyone thought” is right up there with “sleep walk into changing the government in a fit of absent mindedness almost” back in 07 and “It’s a classic example of what goes wrong when in a fit of absent mindedness people elect Labor Governments.” as a blazing siren to the contempt Abbott holds the people in.
“@danielhurstbne: Abbott says he’s asked whip to call special party room mtg for 9am on Mon to consider the spill motion. Brings forward from Tues #libspill”
cud chewer
Also gets it over before the Newspoll due Monday night.
Abbott is running scared. Numbers moving against him
Meeting had to be Monday – otherwise you have a Question Time like Simon Crean’s last where everyone knew he was gone and Liberals were “laying off” him out of respect.
But Newspoll workers will be crunching the number all Sunday night to get the poll out Monday morning before this meeting anyway.
Hah.. Turnbull on his doorstop saying that he preferred for there to be more time. I wonder if Peta was watching that interview?
Tony – a hint – NEVER give MPs a weekend to think about change!
“@political_alert: The Prime Minister will make a press statement at 9am, Sydney #libspill #auspol”
Morning all. Well the Liberal leadership contenders are clear now. I am a little surprised Turnbull did not announce his intentions more decisively once it was on. The prospect of Abbott winning round one is now greater. Of course, if he scrapes over the line, he is as wounded as Clarke and Dawes’ pet lame duck, Tones.
Abbott confirming support for Hockey shows he needs every vote though. Without cabinet solidarity Abbott would be finished. Hockey would be reshuffled by any leader still in full control.
Abbott will make a statement at 0900 ESST.
And he will not be taking questions.
BK
Another squawk and run .No questions will be taken. Stop watches at the ready.
Abbott fighting to retain job will split the LNP big time. 😀
Have noticed a certain fatigue in the general population about this leadership fight. Sure twitter is having some fun with it but offline people are definitely tuning out – Summer is meant to be a break from politics.
BK
Then why doesn’t he just put out a written statement? This is irrational.
Stop watches at the ready
Can he beat 79-80 seconds?
Stop watches at the ready
Can he beat 79-80 seconds?
Luke M
It’s Abbott’s own fault. He wouldn’t leave us alone over the “break” and this is his reward.
lizzie
Irrational’R’Us
RR
[Can he beat 79-80 seconds?]
He’ll repeat the 3 sentences 4 times.
If I were a wavering backbencher, Abbott’s bringing forward of the meeting would push towards change. It’s clear Abbott is panicking; doesn’t want another horror Newspoll splashed on newspapers under the arms of MPs as they arrive for the meeting; realises the numbers are moving against him.
lizzie
[Then why doesn’t he just put out a written statement?]
He wants to dazzle wavering MPs with his soaring oratory ? 😆
CTar1
🙂
“@Kieran_Gilbert: Liberal backbencher on the partyroom move to Monday “And Abbott wonders why we think he doesn’t take us seriously” #libspill”
Abbott’s “door is always open” is not quite true. A criticiam of the PM needs to be one-on-one.
[Colleagues could always make an appointment with Howard’s office if they really needed to see him. But to most MPs, banging on the Prime Minister’s door was reserved for urgent matters, not to waste time with gossip and small talk.
Abbott’s dinner plans with colleagues are different – a little more stilted and formal – and perhaps illustrative of many complaints about the “command and control” manner of his office and consultative style.
When not too busy, on Tuesdays during sitting weeks Abbott will host a dinner in his parliamentary suite. A guest list is drawn up by his office and invitations are sent out. A group of about 15 are assembled, a mix of frontbenchers and backbenchers, sometimes a few key staff.
A topic might be set as a theme to discuss. Or Abbott will simply ask those around the table to raise any issues of concern.
The conversation can be robust, but the dynamic is different to the Howard approach. Less spontaneous and random. It takes a certain boldness to raise criticism in a forum where you’ve been invited – and while we might expect our politicians to be fearless advocates, anyone can find it nerve-racking to be called before the boss. Career limiting too, if one is not careful.]
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/company-of-colleagues-needed-at-captains-table-20150207-13704p.html
[If I were a wavering backbencher, Abbott’s bringing]
I agree. This definitely demonstrates that Abbott hasn’t changed – he’s manipulating the situation to his own advantage rather than allowing the party room to take some time to reach its decision. Coupled with the leaks against the people putting forward the spill motion and it’s clear that Abbott should not remain leader.
I am watching Insiders. Not the press statement from the ventriloquist Mr Abbott
With Abbott hopping about like a frog on a barbecue, it must be hard for the journos to decide on a program of interviews.
Morning all.
Have just seen Ian MacDonald interviewed on ABC24 about the leadership. Why does nobody challenge the Liberals’ assertions that Abbott won’t be switched out because they aren’t the Labor party, when we’ve seen 3 first term Liberal state/territory leaders dumped?
Abbott not taking questions? He never offers any answers of value, so whatever
guytaur
I’m sure they’ll tell us the main message, anyway – and it will be repetition anyway.
Lib meeting moved to Monday because Tony doesn’t have the numbers & been told News Poll is another disaster
Posted too quickly. Beginning to sound as repetitive as Abbott, anyway.
Morning bludgers
Perhaps Abbott will be announcing his resignation at 9 am. 😀
[Peter van Onselen @vanOnselenP · 29m 29 minutes ago
Tony Abbott bringing the party room meeting forward to Monday, right after Malcolm Turnbull said it should stay on Tuesday as planned.]
A PBer predicted this would happen. Can’t remember who though.
lizzie
Nah. You have not said three or four times 🙂
lizzie
The door may be open but this is guarding it. Note the blue tie of the last back bencher that tried to go in.
Guytaur.. suspect PM statement will precede Insiders anyway
“@TonyHWindsor: Mr Abbott demonstrates the problem once again by shifting Party meeting .Short term self service not long term leadership .”do anything”.”