From Australia’s media king-maker, Peter Hartcher:
The next leadership crisis won’t be like the last. The backbenchers who organised the spill motion in February are not minded to organise another.
…The striking fact is that Abbott is failing because of self-inflicted injuries. Potential challengers are standing back as Abbott’s government collapses in on itself, unassisted.
Looming over the leadership question is the imperative of survival. MPs want to hold their seats and, preferably, hold government as well. The opinion polls will have a powerful say in guiding MPs’ thinking.
…The next leadership crisis could be precipitated by a poor showing at the Canning byelection on September 19. Or, if Abbott survives that, Christmas is the next likely deadline. One way or another, Abbott is very likely to face a crisis between now and the end of the year.
Only one man can conceivably save him now. That man? Bill Shorten.
In short, let the idiot hang himself. He certainly will.
