Tony Abbott slammed for ‘make Australia work again’ rhetoric
Liberal stalwart Jeff Kennett has dismissed former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s pledge to outlast PM Malcolm Turnbull’s federal politics career.
With rhetoric eerily similar to Donald Trump’s “Make America great again” campaign, Mr Abbott has vowed to “Make Australia work again”.
But Mr Kennett has called on the federal Liberal party to get its act together as Tony Abbott stokes internal tensions with a new speech.
Mr Abbott on Tuesday declared he is in no hurry to leave public life because Australia needs strong, Liberal, conservative voices “now more than ever”.
He also has told colleagues and friends he will stay to offer experience – if not leadership – when “things go badly under Malcolm”, News Corp reported.
This came after Mr Turnbull’s comments insisting that the Liberal party was “harmonious”, rejecting suggestions his party was a “tinderbox” about to erupt.
“Too many people feel let down and ripped off,” Mr Abbott told the Institute of Public Affairs in Brisbane.
“We need to make Australia work again, because our country plainly is not working as it should.
“We are letting ourselves down. We are not what we should be; and we know it. That’s why most of the attempted pep talks sound so hollow.”
Mr Kennett backed recent calls for a reshuffle but had a blunt response to Mr Abbott’s optimism.
Jeff Kennett says Tony Abbott will never again be prime minister. Photo: AAP
“He won’t be prime minister again,” Mr Kennett told the Seven Network.
“There are some good men in the (Liberal party) ranks but this division takes the focus away from good government and, if they are not careful, they will undermine both the Menzies and the Howard legacy.”
Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said Mr Abbott is entitled to express his views.
“But as for the party’s best interest and the country’s best interest, it does help when we are all promoting the achievements of the government and keeping some of our differences to inside the party room, rather than airing publicly,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
“That is the place to advocate your differences on policy.”
Leaked comments by cabinet minister Christopher Pyne regarding same-sex marriage have re-opened old wounds from a leadership contest between Mr Turnbull and Mr Abbott 21 months ago.
Mr Turnbull denied his leadership was under threat from Mr Abbott.
All contributions from backbenchers were “gratefully received” and taken into account, he told ABC Radio in Victoria.
“But a government has to move deliberately and wisely.”
– with AAP