Liberal MP Hints At Abbott Leadership Spill During ABC Broadcast


Pressure on Tony Abbott continues to build, with a federal Liberal MP noting discontent with the direction that the party is taking, and hinting that the Prime Minister could face a leadership spill in the coming days.

Last night, during a Queensland election broadcast on the ABC, LNP backbencher Jane Prentice was asked whether Abbott was the right person to lead the federal Liberals to the next election.
“Well, that’s a discussion, isn’t it?” she replied. “We need to look at where we’re going.” 
Prentice went on to suggest that the federal Liberals have received “bad feedback” in recent times, and that Abbott’s Monday address to the National Press Club could prove to be a “make or break” moment. 
“I don’t think you can hang Tony out to dry” said Prentice, after doing pretty much exactly that. While she tried to soften her comments a bit by talking about Abbott’s track record as “fourth longest-serving leader” of the party, the implication was clear.
Reportedly, Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop have been approached as possible LNP leadership candidates, but both are refusing to challenge Abbott. Today, many are suggesting that a Mal Brough leadership challenge may be imminent.
This week has been a fairly disastrous one for Abbott and the LNP. Yesterday saw Campbell Newman‘s first-term Liberal government wiped out in the Queensland state election, with Newman himself losing the seat of Ashgrove. 
Meanwhile, Abbott’s decision to grant a knighthood to Prince Philip led many within the LNP to question his judgement; even Andrew commentator Andrew Bolt, usually sympathetic to the Prime Minister, joined the pile-on.
Abbott’s Press Club address tomorrow will definitely be an interesting one.

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