The government is in shock but voters have been here before and know the signs: Anonymous backbenchers baying for their leader's blood; ministers swearing allegiance but nonetheless being seen to be positioning; a deputy leader's loyalty clumsily questioned by a weakened and vulnerable prime minister – or agent thereof; and a paralysing sense of dread consuming all else.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott knows it takes more than a few rogue backbenchers to force the leadership pace. Credit:Getty Images

The leadership is now governing for its own survival. The national interest has taken a back seat to internal intrigue in Canberra. Internal trust has dropped to lower levels even than what remains in voter-land. Meanwhile, top public servants cool their heels, and watch on with a professional detachment born of deja vu. Who will govern? Who is for the chop?

So far at least, this is a headless coup – a death by a thousand "tweetable" increments, anonymous and with no assassins in sight.

Abbott is safe as long as the forces arraigned against him stay diffuse and disorganised. He knows it will take more than a few rogue backbenchers known already as recalcitrants to force the pace.