Australian leader clashes with predecessor over record

[webfact]

Australian leader clashes with predecessor over record
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's prime minister and the man he replaced clashed Tuesday in an indication that splits in the ruling party are still wide as the country heads into a possible early election in July.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced Monday that he will call an early election on July 2 unless the Senate agrees to pass contentious legislation next month.

The opposition argues that Turnbull had effectively kicked off a 15-week election campaign, with key senators talking down the prospects of legislation to create a construction industry watchdog getting majority support.

Tony Abbott, the unpopular prime minister who was replaced by Turnbull in September after two years in power, claimed credit for the center-right government's main achievements. These included stopping asylum seekers from reaching Australia by boat and free trade agreements with China, Japan and South Korea.

"Fundamentally the Turnbull government is seeking election on the record of the Abbott government," Abbott told Sky News late on Monday.

Turnbull on Tuesday said that his administration was different from the one Abbott had led.

"The bottom line is there is continuity and there is change, and there are many policies that have been announced and many initiatives that have been undertaken that were either not policies or not being pursued by Mr. Abbott," Turnbull told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

The center-left Labor Party opposition leapt on the disagreement between the leader and his predecessor. Opposition leader Bill Shorten said the ruling Liberal Party was "at war with itself."

"The truth of the matter is that Mr. Turnbull wants to have an early election on July 2, he doesn't have a plan for Australia, all he has is plan for his own re-election," Shorten told reporters.

The government trailed the opposition in opinion polls until Turnbull became prime minister, although his popularity has waned as observers have criticized his slow pace of reform.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-03-22

[bridge2bridge]

At least Abbott had BALLS unlike Turnbull.

[eggers]

At least Abbott had BALLS unlike Turnbull.

Agree, Abbott got on with job, disappointingly Turnbull is words rather than action.... if he's to survive had better hit the accelerator!!!

[Roomuck]

Turnbull was just biding ha time.

He has wedged the senate,wedged labor and wedged abbot with this DD, he can't lose no matter what happens now.

he has gaurenteed himself to be the Pm for the next term.

[cesarm001]

And now if the elections are on .....Hell who do we vote for Liberal, Labour, Greens, Independents ......Shit big problem No one Australian Politician has ever work for the people the only one was Bob ....They all are robbing us big time big big pensions of hundred of thousands of dollars lots of privileges after they quit politics ..... Yea Nice Bloody job and we all pay for it.

Big problem in Australia No leaders that work for us .....Look the Thai Prime Minister .... Australian Politicians should learn from Him .... Looking after the people and working for Thai people including us foreign people trying to fix the water problem, The corruption, The overstaying foreign people that do not respect the Law, education for all and +++ so yes he is a good example.

I think Abbott should just shut up or get out he is creating a big problem for the Liberal Party .... we do not need any more gurbish from politicians ....

Abbott GET OUT OF THE WAY ......SHUT UP LET MALCOM TO DO HIS JOB ...... YOU LOST GET OUT

[tigermoth]

At least Abbott had BALLS unlike Turnbull.

Unfortunately his balls were more akin to rabbits rather than a leader of a country. He was probably the worst PM we ever had and disliked by all. Apart from his immigration policies you seem to forget how he tried to get the deficit down by mainly attacking the elderly of Australia.

[bt2017]

Have any Aussie expats heard the gathering murmurs that M.Turnbull is considering following the Kiwi Govt's. model of only paying the Aged Pension inside your country of residence.

If true this would be of significant concern to many Aus. Expats such as myself who rely on this pension!!

[Rancid]

Have any Aussie expats heard the gathering murmurs that M.Turnbull is considering following the Kiwi Govt's. model of only paying the Aged Pension inside your country of residence.

If true this would be of significant concern to many Aus. Expats such as myself who rely on this pension!!

No but wouldn't surprise as few votes in it. So Abbott who did nothing apart from stopping the boats arguing with Turnball who is yet to do anything useful. Then we have Shorten who will claim to do something useful but won't.

So the mediocre arguing over which of their mediocre actions is the least mediocre. Mediocrity in action then.

[cesarm001]

Well if the pension is pay only in Aust then we are in big trouble and we may have to fly back every 6 weeks until that is also cut

So lets build somethingoso we can support ourselfs without the pension

Buy land on yr partnrrs name build something you can sell

I am setting myself for this just in case hsppend

If anybody want dome ideas send me a private

[cesarm001]

Well if the pension is pay only in Aust then we are in big trouble and we may have to fly back every 6 weeks until that is also cut

So lets build somethingoso we can support ourselfs without the pension

Buy land on yr partnrrs name build something you can sell

I am setting myself for this just in case hsppend

If anybody want dome ideas send me a private

[neverdie]

Australia has really lost the plot politically. I had high hopes for young Malcolm but he seems hamstrung, completely useless.

Tony Abbott is a snake in the grass that will bite eventually,leaving him around is dangerous, you only have to see the Kevin Gillard, Julia Rudd debarkle for a precedence.

Bill shorten is a fool, 100% union man and Socialist, a few more socialist governments will seal Australia's fate and see debt soar.

God help us if the greens get anymore say or control.

I've said it before and I will say it again, time for a massive cull, some political assissinations to stop these guys farting in church.

Australians need to take to the street again, only way to keep the bastards honest !

[cesarm001]

I have visited the NZ pension and super website and the rules are almost the same as they are now in Australia.

Have a read to the NZ web site

The only change that may affect us is if dear Mal decide to suspend all pensions and that will not happen on our life time.

Slso chances are he may not get elected

We need new leaders ...but hwo ?????

Yeahhhhhh I got it ....dear Palmer he he he what a joke