Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Education Minister Christopher Pyne and Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen This remarkable descent was scarcely arrested by his unconvincing "technical" win three weeks ago when he locked his executive into supporting him to survive 61 to 39 – with one informal vote. If that 12-vote margin wasn't enough to rebuild confidence, Abbott has reinforced the doubts of colleagues since – even though there have been some encouraging signs also. MPs, including some who backed the spill, say the internal operation of the government has improved markedly since Abbott's "near-death-experience" and that the PM has indeed reached out to the disaffected. But outwardly, things appear worse. If a dearth of internal respect were the only beef, Abbott's belated inclusivism, might do the trick.

Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen This is about something deeper – namely Abbott's desperately low standing with voters, and the assessment of the Prime Minister's frontline colleagues that his trust relationship in the electorate is terminally rent, irreparable. MPs who had argued that the PM needed more time to turn things around have been embarrassed by the welter of contrary evidence this week exposing such an approach as wishful thinking and even delusional. Privately, they recognise it is Abbott himself that is their biggest problem, citing his worthy attempt to shift the conversation to governing – with a national security statement, restrictions to foreign ownership of real estate, and the McClure welfare reforms – which he then comprehensively skewered via a pointless and damaging culture war over the Human Rights Commission. The government bled all week in Parliament trying to defend its politically motivated attack on the HRC President, Gillian Triggs. There could hardly have been a more graphic demonstration of the political cost of having "Captain Combat" in charge rather than a mainstream leader committed to problem-solving.

The question has shifted from how it will end, to when. Yet the answer to that remains unknown. Still no one is in charge. Malcolm Turnbull stays wisely fixed on the sidelines – aware he can only re-unite the government if he is not blamed for its previous disintegration. But even neutrals say the situation cannot be allowed to fester. The government is dying. A stalking horse may be the circuit-breaker, with a faux challenge forcing the protagonists and the party to confront the problem that officially dare not speak its name. Backbenchers want the cabinet members to step up, to tap the PM on the shoulder, arguing they already did their bit by forcing the first spill.

No sign of that yet. Loading Either way, a second climax when it comes will be fatal to Abbott's leadership. No leader can survive two near-death-experiences. And with momentum running against him, it is hard to see that being avoided from much longer. Follow us on Twitter