Timeline: The highs and lows of the Abbott Government

Two years after leading the Coalition to victory, Tony Abbott has been ousted as prime minister. Look back at the key events of his time in power.

In two short years Tony Abbott went from conservative hero to the political wilderness, ousted by Malcolm Turnbull, the man he beat to take leadership of the Coalition in 2009.

Mr Abbott succeeded in turning three-word slogans such as "axe the tax" and "stop the boats" into reality, but an unpopular budget followed by a much-criticised sales pitch, coupled with some damaging "captain's calls" and ministerial scandals, terminally damaged his leadership.

Here are some key events from his time as prime minister.

Abbott wins Government

September 7, 2013

I now look forward to forming a government that is competent, that is trustworthy, and which purposefully and steadfastly and methodically sets about delivering on our commitments to you, the Australian people. Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott declared that "the time for governing has arrived" after an election that swept Labor from office and brought to an end the Rudd-Gillard era.

Nine weeks after he wrested control of the party and the country from Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd conceded defeat and with a "heavy heart" announced he would step down from the leadership.

The national swing towards the Coalition was around 3.5 per cent, delivering it a swathe of seats in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.

"I am both proud and humbled as I shoulder the duties of government. The time for campaigning has passed, the time for governing has arrived," the new PM declared.

The announcement of the Cabinet

September 16, 2013

The cabinet of Afghanistan now has more women in it than the Cabinet of Australia. Chris Bowen

Mr Abbott unveiled his new ministry, calling it one of the most experienced incoming ministries in Australian history.

Julie Bishop, as Foreign Affairs Minister, was the only woman in the Cabinet, but Mr Abbott promoted a number of women to the outer ministry.

Mr Abbott said he was "disappointed that there are not at least two women in the Cabinet".

"Nevertheless, there are some very good and talented women knocking on the door of the Cabinet and there are lots of good and talented women knocking on the door of the ministry," he said.

"So I think you can expect to see, as time goes by, more women in both the Cabinet and the ministry."

Operation Sovereign Borders begins

September 18, 2013

"We are in a fierce contest with these people smugglers. And if we were at war, we wouldn't be giving out information that is of use to the enemy just because we might have an idle curiosity about it ourselves." Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott's pledge to "stop the boats" was central to his election campaign, and immediately after the election he and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison appointed then Deputy Chief of Army Angus Campbell to head up Operation Sovereign Borders.

The policy involved secrecy about what was happening on the high seas, a continuation of offshore detention, and reviving the practice of turning refugee boats back.

As promised, the number of boats heading to Australia fell: of the 11 full months under Operation Sovereign Borders, the Government says seven have passed without a successful people-smuggling venture to Australia.

But this success came at a price: riots broke out at an offshore detention centre on PNG's Manus Island, resulting in the death of an asylum seeker, and the Government was forced to bring a group of asylum seekers to Australia after a High Court ruling. Reports also continue to emerge of mental illness and brutality in detention centres, and there have been ongoing calls from those within the system to end the practice.

PM, frontbenchers repay travel claims

September 29, 2013

"That's what people should do: they should act within entitlements, they should err on the side of caution, and, if there is any doubt, they should act immediately to clear the matter up. That's exactly what I have done." Tony Abbott

The Prime Minister had barely settled into the role when it emerged key frontbenchers George Brandis and Barnaby Joyce had incorrectly claimed travel allowances to attend the wedding of radio presenter Michael Smith in 2011.

Mr Abbott himself paid back $1,600 he claimed to attend the weddings of former colleagues Sophie Mirabella and Peter Slipper.

While the rules around what politicians can claim back from the taxpayer are ambiguous, it was an embarrassing start for a Government that had prosecuted the case against Peter Slipper while in Opposition.

Labor frontbencher Mark Dreyfus also repaid $400 he had claimed for a ski trip.

Leak reveals bid to spy on Indonesian president

November 18, 2013

"The actions of US and Australia has very much wounded the strategic partnership with Indonesia, a fellow democratic state." Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Within months of taking power, and already testing the boundaries of Australia's relationship with Indonesia through its policy of turning back asylum seeker boats, the Abbott Government found itself dealing with a diplomatic rift with its largest neighbour.

Documents leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden showed that Australian intelligence tried to listen in to Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's mobile phone in 2009, and targeted senior figures in his inner circle and even the president's wife.

While the surveillance happened under the Rudd government, Mr Abbott was criticised for refusing to apologise to the Indonesian president.

After Indonesia recalled its ambassador, Mr Abbott said he "regretted" the rift, but said he did not think Australia had anything to apologise for, prompting Mr Yudhoyono to lash out at Mr Abbott in a series of angry tweets, accusing him of taking the spying scandal too lightly.

Indonesia suspended cooperation on military matters and people smuggling, forcing Mr Abbott to write to the president and sign up to a code of conduct that returned relations to normal.

Holden announces end to Australian manufacturing

December 11, 2013

"Building cars in this country is just not sustainable." Holden managing director Mike Devereux

After months of speculation, Holden announced it would stop making cars in Australia by the end of 2017. Toyota followed suit shortly afterwards, signalling the end of the Australian car manufacturing industry.

In the lead-up to Holden's announcement, the Federal Government had refused to reinstate $500 million in government support for the industry that it had removed after taking power.

Critics claimed the Government's announcement that Holden would not receive any more assistance sparked the withdrawal, however the Government maintained Holden's parent company had made the decision as part of a global restructure and the company would have exited no matter what it did.

The end of the car manufacturing industry is expected to cost up to 50,000 Australian jobs.

The car industry closures were part of a wider public debate about industry support: the Government rejected a bid for assistance from fruit processor SPC Ardmona and denied a debt guarantee for Qantas.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappears

March 8, 2014

"We owe it to the families and the friends and the loved ones of the almost 240 people on flight MH370 to do everything we can to try to resolve what is as yet an extraordinary riddle. We also owe it to them to give them information as soon as it's to hand." Tony Abbott

When the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 turned to the southern Indian Ocean, Tony Abbott offered Australia's resources and expertise in coordinating the search.

He appointed former Defence chief Angus Houston to lead the multinational search effort, and committed $50 million in funding.

Despite this, the Prime Minister was criticised for pre-emptively announcing breakthroughs to the media, including telling reporters during a visit to China that searchers had narrowed down the search area to some kilometres — a statement which later proved to be inaccurate.

Arthur Sinodinos steps aside from frontbench

March 19, 2014

"I do not want this sideshow to be an unnecessary distraction to the important work of the Government which I am proud to serve. While this process is underway I will therefore be standing aside as Assistant Treasurer." Arthur Sinodinos

When Arthur Sinodinos stood aside, Tony Abbott didn't just lose his assistant treasurer less than two months before the Budget, but also a confidante and a well-liked minister who was seen as a link to the successes of the Howard era.

The former chief of staff to John Howard made the decision to stand aside after being named in the ICAC investigation into allegations of corruption involving Australian Water Holdings, a company Senator Sinodinos served on the board of.

While the Prime Minister left the door open for Senator Sinodinos to return, the ongoing ICAC investigations into the fundraising arm of the Liberal Party saw him remain on the backbench until he resigned late last year.

Abbott brings back Knights and Dames

March 25, 2014

"I believe this is an important grace note in our national life." Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott confounded his party and raised the ire of republicans when he announced he was bringing back the titles of knights and dames for "pre-eminent Australians" - nearly three decades after the Hawke Labor government abolished the honours.

Described by Mr Abbott as a captain's call, the announcement came months after he appeared to specifically rule it out.

Mr Abbott's mentor, former prime minister John Howard, questioned the merits of the decision and said he would not accept a knighthood if offered.

Australia strikes free trade deal with Japan

April 7, 2014

"We will elevate this strong bilateral relationship between our two countries to a new special relationship, so that we can work on forging an even stronger partnership together." Japanese president Shinzo Abe

After seven years of negotiations between the two nations, the Abbott Government struck a free trade agreement with Japan, a major breakthrough in light of Japan's notoriously high levels of protectionism.

The move was welcomed by the Australian beef industry and is likely to result in cheaper cars and electrical goods for the Australian public.

The Prime Minister followed this up by signing a free trade agreement with South Korea, before heading to China to press the case for a similar agreement with the Asian giant.

Despite tensions between the two countries over the Abbott Government's stance on the disputed South China Sea region, China's premier Li Keqiang has said his country will aim to sign an FTA with Australia.

Joe Hockey delivers federal budget

May 13, 2014

"We know that for some in the community this budget will not be easy. But this budget is not about self-interest. This budget is about the national interest. The government's Economic Action Strategy is not about undermining a strong social safety net; it is about making it sustainable." Treasurer Joe Hockey

After campaigning on a platform of ending waste and promising to rein in excess spending, the Coalition characterised its first budget as a necessary repair job that required all Australians to tighten their belts and become "a nation of lifters, not leaners".

Welfare and services such as education and health bore the brunt of the budget pain, with billions in funding slashed from the international aid, health and education budgets, alongside cuts to family benefits and a levy on high-income earners - all aimed at bringing the budget back to surplus over the next five years.

Despite attempts by Treasurer Joe Hockey to characterise the budget as hard on everyone, the electorate turned on the Government, which slumped in the polls.

Causing particular anger were plans for a $7 GP co-payment, an increase to the fuel levy, and cuts to unemployment benefits, which would see jobseekers lose any income support for six months at a time.

Modelling showing the disproportionate impact the budget had on low-income earners, and an unimpressed Senate, have kept the issue in the headlines ever since.

PM issues warning on rise of Islamic State

June 16, 2014

"The difficulty here is that these people do exalt in death, they absolutely revel in killing. As soon as they've done something gruesome and ghastly and unspeakable, they're advertising it on the internet for all to see, which makes them, in my mind, nothing but a death cult. That's why I think it's quite proper to respond with extreme force against people like this." Tony Abbott

With its brutal tactics and regional ambitions, the Islamic State (IS) militant group has gone from relative obscurity to among the most prominent threats to global security.

Armed with weaponry seized from the US-supplied Iraqi army, the group now controls large areas of Syria and Iraq and has amassed billions in cash reserves.

The group has also proved a powerful lure to disaffected Muslim youths in the West: as of August at least 160 Australians had taken up arms in the conflict.

Tony Abbott responded in a muscular fashion, labelling the group a "death cult", and saying extreme force was justified in the fight against it.

So far Mr Abbott has ruled out committing ground troops, but Australian warplanes have carried out air strikes as part of the international coalition arrayed against the brutal Islamist group.

New Senate crossbench causes grief

July 1, 2014

We've got situation normal, which is a Senate where the Government does not have a majority in its own right. Once everyone huffs and puffs we'll get the carbon tax repealed and the mining tax repealed. Tony Abbott

July 1 marked a new order in the Senate, with eight colourful micro-party senators holding the Abbott Government's legislative agenda by the throat.

The Coalition needs six of those eight crossbench votes to introduce any new measures, in the event Labor or the 10 Greens senators refuse to give support.

Clive Palmer's three Palmer United Party (PUP) senators held crucial balance-of-power votes in the Senate - a position bolstered by their alliance with the Australian Motoring Enthusiast party Senator Ricky Muir and later weakened by Jacqui Lambie's departure from the PUP ranks.

The Government's ability to fulfil key election promises - like repealing the mining and carbon taxes - and enact billions of dollars in budget cuts and changes rested in the hands of the new crossbench.

However, Mr Palmer had his own list of demands to be met, ensuring a difficult path for any new measures the Government tried to introduce.

Government secures repeal of carbon tax

July 17, 2014

"It will be good for confidence - the abolition of the carbon tax. It will be a sign to the Australian people that this is a government which does keep its commitments." Tony Abbott

When the new Senate came into effect on July 1, it appeared the Government's signature policy of repealing the carbon tax was in the bag.

However, the appearance of climate change campaigner Al Gore alongside Clive Palmer at a press conference kicked off one of the more surreal moments in Australian politics.

Mr Palmer, who has extensive interests in coal mining and had weeks earlier expressed scepticism at the existence of climate change, instead became the unlikely saviour of some of the structure designed to mitigate Australia's emissions growth, including the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Climate Change Authority.

In return for his critical support in the Senate, PUP also introduced amendments to require power companies to pass on any savings they made from the repeal of the tax to consumers, or face a hefty fine.

Despite failing in the attempt to also remove the tax cuts that accompanied the introduction of the carbon tax, on July 17 the Government was able to announce it had delivered on one of its central election policies.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 shot down

July 18, 2014

"Any intervention by Russia into Ukraine under the guise of a humanitarian crisis will be seen as the transparent artifice that it is and Australia would condemn in the strongest possible terms any effort by Russia to enter Ukraine under the guise of some kind of humanitarian mission." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

The shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, most likely by Russian-backed separatists in the Ukraine, sent shockwaves around the world.

Among the 298 people on board were 38 Australian citizens and residents, and Mr Abbott was quick to call for justice for those who died.

Using its seat on the UN Security Council, Australia, through Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, was a key driver in attempts to find out who was responsible and apply international pressure on Russia to aid in the investigation.

Mr Abbott has criticised Russia's involvement in supporting the rebels, and has made it a top priority to bring the remains of those killed home.

He dispatched former Defence chief Angus Houston to Kiev as his personal envoy, and deployed 20 AFP crime scene investigators to join the international investigation.

Ms Bishop also made multiple visits to Kiev to attempt to help the investigators gain access to the crash site, which lies in a region that has witnessed some of the heaviest fighting in the conflict.

Racial Discrimination Act changes shelved

August 5, 2014

"People do have a right to be bigots. In a free country people do have rights to say things that other people find offensive or insulting or bigoted." George Brandis

Repealing section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act was an election promise borne out of the case of columnist and Abbott confidante Andrew Bolt, who was found guilty of breaching it in two articles he wrote about light-skinned Aboriginal people in 2009.

However from the outset, when Attorney-General George Brandis released a draft of the changes, the policy raised ire within the community.

Critics of the changes said they would leave Australians with no protection against racial vilification, and Senator Brandis's comments that "people have the right to be bigots" saw public opinion solidify against the policy.

In the face of strident opposition from ethnic communities and disquiet on the Government's backbench, the changes were shelved as part of the Government's overhaul of national security laws.

"It is, if you like, a leadership call that I have made after discussion with the Cabinet today. In the end, leadership is about preserving national unity on the essentials, and that is why I have taken this decision," Mr Abbott said.

The new national security laws made it an offence to travel to a designated area of "terrorist activity" without a valid reason.

Privacy advocates also criticised planned legislation likely to compel phone and internet companies to retain customers' metadata – resulting in an embarrassing interview where Senator Brandis struggled to explain what the metadata the Government was planning to collect actually was.

Parliament repeals Labor's mining tax

September 2, 2014

"Our challenge is to implement our commitments and that's exactly what happened today. One of the most fundamental commitments of all: to get rid of the mining tax and to get rid of ... the unsustainable spending associated with it. That commitment has been honoured." Tony Abbott

Days out from the first anniversary of its election victory, the Government achieved the final string in its trifecta of key election promises: axing the mining tax.

The legislation passed the Upper House with the backing of PUP senators, as well as Motoring Enthusiast Party senator Ricky Muir, Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm and Family First's Bob Day.

The victory, while coming at a cost of $6.5 billion to the budget bottom line through concessions to the minor parties, also showed the Government's ability to negotiate an unpredictable and divided Senate.

The decision to delay superannuation increases for Australian workers, passed alongside the repeal, raised the ire of the industry and sparked questions over its disproportionate impact on lower-income earners and women.

Abbott threatens to 'shirtfront' Vladimir Putin

October 13, 2014

Look, I'm going to shirtfront Mr Putin ... you bet I am. I am going to be saying to Mr Putin [that] Australians were murdered. They were murdered by Russian-backed rebels using Russian-supplied equipment. Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott said he would "shirtfront" Russian president Vladimir Putin when the pair met at the G20 meeting in Brisbane.

Mr Abbott confirmed he would hold a bilateral meeting with Mr Putin to raise concerns over the deaths of Australians in the MH17 disaster.

Twenty-seven Australians and 11 others with permanent residency died when the plane was downed over Ukraine.

Mr Abbott said he intended to very forcefully raise Australia's objections.

A shirtfront, an Australian rules football term, is a "head-on charge aimed at bumping an opponent to the ground," according to the Macquarie Dictionary.

But after the meeting at the G20 conference, a Kremlin spokesman said Mr Abbott "did not try" to carry out his threat.

Abbott's G20 performance criticised

November 15, 2014

[Tony Abbott] missed the opportunity to show why Australia should be considered a world leader. Instead he boasted of taking Australia backwards on climate change action, making it harder for Australians to go to university and pricing sick people out of getting the healthcare they need. Bill Shorten

The Prime Minister's comments to world leaders in Brisbane for the G20 summit about domestic policy issues were described as "weird and graceless" by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Mr Abbott had told the leaders that his efforts to balance the budget were being frustrated by public opposition to his plans for a Medicare co-payment and deregulation of university fees.

He also told the gathering that he had fulfilled his election pledges to axe the carbon tax and stop boats coming to Australia.

But he said his efforts to "get the budget under control" were proving "massively difficult" because of the unpopularity of proposed spending cuts.

Mr Abbott's speech contrasted with that of US president Barack Obama, who spoke at the University of Queensland to urge Australians to take action on climate change.

Liberals lose Victorian election

November 29, 2014

We hear the call for Australians to come onboard Team Australia but as far as the Federal Government has been concerned there has been no Team Liberal. Jeff Kennett

Labor, led by Daniel Andrews, took back power from the first-term Coalition government in Victoria.

Conceding defeat, outgoing premier Denis Napthine said he would stand down as leader of the Liberal Party.

Federal Greens MP Adam Bandt said the outcome sent a clear message to the Prime Minister.

"Tony Abbott needs to understand that his policies and his refusal to fund public transport to fix congestion is costing the Liberals votes," he said.

Former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett said the Federal Government had to take some of the blame for the Coalition's loss.

Abbott's "ragged week"

December 1, 2014

I'd be the first to admit that last week was a bit of a ragged week for the Government. Tony Abbott

The Federal Government announced backdowns on its university overhaul and defence force pay, after what Tony Abbott described as a "ragged week" for his Government.

In a wide-ranging press conference, Mr Abbott said he wanted to address "head on" some of the recent criticism of his Government.

On Australian Defence Force pay, he announced that several allowances, including Christmas leave, would not be cut.

The Government also agreed to a proposal from Victorian senator John Madigan to give students who were new parents a five-year interest rate pause.

The higher education changes would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to a budget already sinking deeply into the red.

Just over a week later, Mr Abbott slapped down his Coalition colleagues for criticising the performance of his chief of staff Peta Credlin, and suggested there was an element of sexism behind the attacks.

Ms Credlin was forced to deny claims her working relationship with the Foreign Minister had broken down, amid reports Julie Bishop is refusing to take directives from Mr Abbott's office.

Abbott reshuffles frontbench

December 21, 2014

These ministerial changes will put jobs and families at the heart of the Government's agenda for 2015. Tony Abbott

The PM announced a major reshuffle of his frontbench as he moved to "reset and refocus" his Government for 2015.

Scott Morrison was appointed the Minister for Social Services, taking on an expanded portfolio which included welfare, families, child care and the paid parental leave scheme.

After months of pressure, David Johnston was dumped as defence minister and replaced by Kevin Andrews, described by the Prime Minister as a "safe pair of hands".

Peter Dutton moved to immigration and his former portfolio of health was handed to Sussan Ley.

Two days later the PM sacked communications director Jane McMillan, and appointed the ABC's departing chief political correspondent Mark Simkin to lead his media team.

Health Minister dumps Medicare cuts just after Abbott lauds them

January 15, 2015

As you'd expect, there are lots of vigorous discussions inside the Cabinet, inside the national security committee, inside the expenditure review committee, but all decisions are unanimous and this certainly was a unanimous decision. Tony Abbott

The Federal Government dumped plans to cut the rebate for short GP visits by $20, amid a fierce political backlash and stiff opposition from doctors.

New Health Minister Sussan Ley announced the changes had been "taken off the table".

The move came just a day after Mr Abbott defended the Government's decision to cut the rebate, telling Fairfax radio Medicare had to be sustainable.

The ABC confirmed Treasurer Joe Hockey and the health minister at the time, Peter Dutton, were opposed to the rebate cut when it was first announced in December as part of the Government's revised GP co-payment policy, but were overruled by the Prime Minister.

Abbott makes Prince Philip a knight

January 26, 2015

Prince Philip has made a significant contribution in Australia. He's made a significant contribution in particular to the Duke of Edinburgh award, to the lives of hundreds of thousands of young Australians. Mathias Cormann

Tony Abbott's decision to award an Australian knighthood to Prince Philip left some of the Prime Minister's most senior colleagues bewildered, angered and dismayed.

Prince Philip and former Defence Force chief Angus Houston were named Australia's newest knights under an honours system reinstated by Mr Abbott.

Cabinet ministers told the ABC the Prime Minister did not consult any of the leadership group before announcing the move.

A number of Government MPs publicly raised concerns, arguing there were many Australians who were more deserving.

Two Queensland Coalition MPs broke ranks to publicly criticise the move, which other MPs branded "a stupid announcement", "beyond ridiculous" and "another error of political judgment".

LNP loss in Queensland election

January 31, 2015

This is catastrophic, unimaginable. Queensland Liberal MP

The rout of the Liberal National Party in the Queensland election was described as "catastrophic" by federal Coalition MPs, with some claiming the Prime Minister was terminally wounded.

Labor looks set to pull off a stunning comeback after a cliffhanger election which saw it secure a double-digit swing and end the political career of Premier Campbell Newman.

The party was the second first-term Liberal government to be defeated within the past year.

"My political career is over," Mr Newman told LNP supporters as he conceded defeat in his seat.

A senior federal Coalition source said the next move was Tony Abbott's and called on the PM to "decide what's in the best interest of the party".

Abbott fights for leadership in crucial address

February 2, 2015

Sure party rooms or caucuses choose leaders. But once they have gone to an election things have changed. It's the people that hire and, frankly, it's the people who should fire. Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott used a crucial speech at the National Press Club to deliver a message to critics within the Coalition, saying Australians did not deserve "infighting" from the Government.

In his first formal address at the National Press Club since winning the election, the Prime Minister dumped his signature paid parental leave policy and removed himself from the process of selecting knights and dames under the Order of Australia.

Mr Abbott mounted a strong defence of his record as Prime Minister and said he had no intention of quitting, in a speech aimed as much at his restive colleagues as at the nation.

Before the speech, two senior Coalition figures told the ABC that they believed Mr Abbott should consider the damage he was doing to the Government and resign.

There was no desire to move against him and there were deep reservations about the damage a leadership spill could cause.

LNP backbencher tells Abbott he has lost his confidence

February 3, 2015

I texted him, and this was prior to the Prince Philip [knighthood] debacle, I texted him and told him that he no longer enjoyed my support. Dr Dennis Jensen

Coalition MP Warren Entsch declared that he would seek a resolution to the leadership drama engulfing Mr Abbott at the next party room meeting.

Mr Entsch's comments came after Liberal MP Dennis Jensen broke ranks and publicly declared the Prime Minister no longer had his support.

The statements suggested momentum was building for a possible move against Mr Abbott.

Dr Jensen said Mr Abbott had been aware of his position for more than a week.

Abbott survives motion for leadership spill

February 9, 2015

The Liberal Party has met. We have had a ballot. It was properly conducted. The result is very clear. Nos 61. Yes 39. There was one informal. One member away on paternity leave. That seems to me to resolve the matter. Chief Whip Philip Ruddock

Prime Minister Tony Abbott survived a motion to spill the leadership of the Liberal Party, with MPs and senators voting it down 61-39.

West Australian Liberal MP Luke Simpkins put forward the motion for the PM's leadership to be put to a vote, and it was seconded by Don Randall.

No-one declared themselves as a challenger to Mr Abbott's leadership ahead of the party room vote.

Federal Budget 2015

May 12, 2015

I think the Government is leaving their options open to go to an election by the end of this year. This budget has enough sweeteners in it to allow them to go to the polls. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon

In a dramatic shift from the Federal Government's first budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey pledged $5.5 billion for small businesses.

He also pledged an immediate 100 per cent tax write-off for assets costing less than $20,000, encouraging Australians to "have a go".

Blow-by-blow account of Cabinet citizenship fight

May 30, 2015

Of course there's discussion and debate. There are a number of lawyers in the Cabinet, [and] lawyers always have a view on the legal aspects of things. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

At least one Cabinet minister leaked extensive details of deliberations about a proposal to strip the citizenship of Australian terrorists who do not have another nationality.

Mr Abbott warned ministers of the "personal and political" consequences of divulging Cabinet processes — consequences that could include being dumped from the ministry.

Joe Hockey tells wannabe homeowners to "get a good job that pays good money"

June 9, 2015

The starting point for a first home buyer is to get a good job that pays good money. Then you can go to the bank and you can borrow money. Treasurer Joe Hockey

Treasurer Joe Hockey's political opponents labelled him out of touch after he said: "The starting point for a first home buyer is to get a good job that pays good money."

It was part of the Federal Government's move to reassure home buyers that residential property prices are not being driven up by overseas buyers.

While conceding that house prices in Sydney were "inflated," Mr Hockey denied the market was becoming unaffordable for first home buyers.

Australia and China sign Free Trade Agreement

June 17, 2015

What you have collectively done is history making for both our countries, it will change our countries for the better, it will change our region for the better... change our world for the better. Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott and China's commerce minister Gao Hucheng signed the free trade deal after years of negotiations.

Mr Abbott said the deal was worth billions of dollars to the Australian economy.

The Government said more than 85 per cent of Australian goods exports will be tariff free under the deal, rising to 95 per cent upon full implementation.

Bronwyn Bishop resigns as Speaker after weeks of Choppergate

August 2, 2015

What has become apparent, particularly over the last few days, is that the problem is not any particular individual; the problem is the entitlement system more generally. Tony Abbott

Bronwyn Bishop resigned as Speaker after weeks of ridicule over her travel expenses, including a chartered helicopter flown from Melbourne to Geelong for a Liberal Party fundraiser.

Prime Minister Abbott said that the Government would hold a "root-and-branch review" of the entitlements system in the wake of the scandal.

Peter Dutton causes offence with comments about Pacific Island nations

September 11, 2015

I should have realised the mic was there and didn't, it was directly behind me but I made a mistake. I apologise to anyone who's taken offence to it. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton was overheard quipping about the plight of Pacific island nations facing rising seas from climate change.

The joke, which was described by those nations as "vulgar", was made during a conversation with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from climate change talks with the Pacific leaders.

Malcolm Turnbull ousts Tony Abbott as prime minister

September 14, 2015

Ultimately, [Tony Abbott] has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs. He has not been capable of providing the economic confidence that business needs. Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull successfully challenges Mr Abbott for the leadership of the Liberal Party, winning a leadership ballot 54 votes to 44.

The vote comes just days before Mr Abbott was to mark two years in power, making his tenure the shortest prime ministership since Harold Holt.

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