Prime Minister Tony Abbott defends leadership as disgruntled MPs voice frustration

Updated

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has launched a strong defence of his leadership in the face of growing internal unease about his performance.

Speaking to 3AW's Neil Mitchell, Mr Abbott said his Government had been "solid" and slapped down the possibility of a leadership change, warning that it would spell political death.

"Judge us on our record," he said.

"We said we'd get rid of the carbon tax, we did. We said we'd stop the boats, we have. We said we'd build roads and, except for the East-West link which is a local problem, that's exactly what we're getting on with."

Mr Abbott laid the blame for his Government's woes with "wreckers" in the Labor Party and an obstructive Senate.

"Compare us with the previous government. The previous government wasted billions, it jeopardised relationships with important neighbours, it restarted the people smuggling trade. Our main failing is that we've had some difficulties with the Senate."

But that is not the way some of his colleagues see it. The ABC has canvassed more than 20 per cent of the Coalition party room across five states, speaking to ministers, MPs and senators.

There are supporters and detractors of the Prime Minister but the overall mood is grim. Here is a sample:

"It's chaos. It was a scrappy end to last year and a scrappy beginning to this one. And the problem is not coming from the backbench. The problem is with the leadership." "Everyone wants him to recover but I think it's game over as far as I can see. I don't think he can recover but there is no way we can move on him. So we're f***ed." "I would describe the Government's performance as sub-optimal." "Tony Abbott is toxic among our own party members. If the Queensland election goes badly Tony will be blamed." "It's an absolute f**king mess. If there was an election Labor would romp it in." "I think [Tony Abbott] is okay but I am hearing a lot of discontent among colleagues."

The irritation with the leader's office that was evident at the end of last year has grown over the summer and is now focused on the Prime Minister.

It was supercharged by the decision to impose, and then dump, a cut to GP rebates and many saw the leak of a Cabinet dispute over it as a very bad sign.

The ABC has independently confirmed a News Limited report that both the then-health minister Peter Dutton and Treasurer Joe Hockey opposed the idea, but the Prime Minister insisted on it.

"Dutton and Hockey are his biggest supporters, so if one of them leaked that's serious," one MP said.

Most of those the ABC spoke to simply want Mr Abbott to lift his game, but some believe it is too late and are beginning to contemplate change.

Mr Abbott said no-one had raised his performance with him, but at least one MP has put his complaint in writing, sending an email directly to the Prime Minister.

Today Mr Abbott sent a shot across the bow of anyone in his team who believed change would lift the Government's fortunes.

"If there is one lesson to be learnt from the fate of the former government in Canberra, maybe even the former government in Victoria, is you do not change leaders. You rally behind someone and you stick to the plan and we've got a good plan... the point I keep making is we inherited a mess, we've made a good start, there's a lot more to be done but we are on the right track."

Employment Minister Eric Abetz said the Prime Minister was doing "a fantastic job" getting the country back in shape and hit out at those in his ranks who backgrounded the media.

"What's the name of that person?" he said.

"They are always so brave when they don't have to give their name. This sort of backgrounding, if it is occurring, it's people who are not willing to put their names to it. Stories that are half concocted. Amazing how the lowliest backbencher becomes a senior Liberal in stories such as this."

Labor is well versed in how governments go bad and recognises the symptoms.

Deputy leader Tanya Plibersek said: "With friends like Tony Abbott's got I don't know if they need the Labor Party to exploit divisions."

There is an eerie sense of deja vu in all this. In 2010, 2012 and 2013 Labor MPs trudged back from their electorates in a foul mood, bearing bad news from the frontline.

In all those years their mood blackened as they gathered in Canberra for the beginning of the Parliamentary year. There were leadership spills in every one.

Mr Abbott is a long way from facing a challenge and the Coalition is loath to repeat what most see as the Original Sin of Labor: killing off a prime minister.

But some of his colleagues are sending him a message, they now believe he is their key liability and he needs to lift his game.

Parliament reconvenes on Monday, February 9. The Prime Minister's performance will be closely watched. And the most critical audience will be his own party room.

Topics: government-and-politics, australia

First posted