news, national

Former prime minister Tony Abbott suggests Australians would be better off voting for Labor rather than independent politicians and minor parties. The former Liberal leader said voting for independents such as Clive Palmer or Rob Oakeshott would weaken the credibility of federal parliament. "If you want a credible parliament, if you want serious government, don't vote independent. It is better to vote for the Labor Party than to vote for an independent," Mr Abbott told 2GB radio on Monday. "For all Labor's faults, at least they are a party of government or potential government, and that means there is a level of responsibility which the Labor Party has to take which no independent or minor party does." He dismissed Mr Oakeshott, who is contesting the NSW seat of Cowper, as a serial candidate and collector of taxpayer money. Mr Abbott also savaged Mr Palmer as "absolutely shameless" for throwing money at political advertising while he owes money to workers at his failed Queensland nickel refinery. Australian Associated Press

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/2e77ec70-24eb-4572-81d0-cfe881554fb5.jpg/r0_74_800_526_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg