Disruptive Tactics !

Tony Abbott once managed to wrest the post of prime minister from Malcolm Turnbull by way of a party room vote.  His term in that office was less than illustrious, and in due course he was deposed and Malcolm Turnbull reinstated by exactly that same process.  Abbott chose to remain on the backbench and ever since he has conducted  a disruptive tactical war which puts his own interests above that of the government.

The most recent census has revealed that Australia is becoming less religious. Numerous national opinion polls show that the mood has generally swung behind same sex marriage and aid to allow the terminally ill to die with dignity with help from their doctor.  Both of these are implacably opposed by Mr Abbott's personal religion and he has been rallying a few hard core conservatives to prevent both becoming law.

Being elected to parliament is a great honour that can be bestowed by a mix of reasons.  It certainly helps if the candidate has personal appeal but in many cases the voters are casting their vote to support the political party of their choice rather than the individual standing for office.  There is the expectation that having gained party endorsement he or she will support the agenda the party is following.

It is quite clear that Tony Abbott's main aim is to regain the position of prime minister and if he brings down the government in his quest to attain that result it is a price he is prepared to pay. He is putting his religious conviction above the loyalty he owes to this nation and his latest outburst may actually increase the military risk this country faces.

There is a gaping hole in our defence capacity.  Our submarine fleet are no longer operational and it has been decided to replace them with twelve diesel/electric boats which will be procured from France.  Abbott is now demanding that this order be cancelled - and replaced with nuclear powered submarines.

Nuclear submarines are an option for a country wanting to project world power and for that reason they are possessed by America, Britain, France and the Soviet Union.  Australia has a very different defence need and conventional submarines are ideal for making the approach waters to this country unsafe for an enemy.  Abbott is trying to impose his personal opinion over the combined views of the entire defence industry and the forces that keep this country secure.  The cost of nuclear submarines would be astronomical.

We are seeing a tendency in politics for those with diverging views to disengage and start their own political party  and this is most evident in the Senate.  Pauline Hanson is probably the most successful of these new ventures but the Greens seem to be about parting company with Lee Rhiannon and this may have a similar result.  The Labor party has always had sharp factional divisions.

The Conservatives may be wise to show Tony Abbott the door.   Either support the party political agenda faithfully - or march under his own flag - wherever that leads !