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Nationals leader Matt Canavan has claimed that the ousting of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2015 was the Coalition's 'original sin' that caused a decline in popularity. Abbott's recent return as Liberal Party president marks a reconciliation, according to Canavan, who criticized Prime Minister Albanese's remarks calling Opposition Leader Angus Taylor a 'Tony Abbott cover band'.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan traces Coalition's unpopularity back to ‘original sin’ of former government Nationals leader Matt Canavan has identified the"original sin" committed by a former Coalition government which he claimed was to blame for the worrying slide in the polls.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan has claimed Tony Abbott’s knifing was the Coalition’s “original sin” which turned voters off the party. Mr Abbott was ousted as prime minister in 2015, before exiting the party when he lost his seat of Warringah to independent Zali Steggall. The former prime minister has now returned to the Liberal Party more than seven years later to take on the role of federal Liberal Party president.
“I’d love to see Tony back. He was a good prime minister that had his term cut way too short,” the Nationals leader said.
“With his return to a leadership position in the Liberal Party, within our Coalition... I think finally that miserable ghost of Malcolm Turnbull has been exorcised from the Liberal National parties and we are back together. ” Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and Tony Abbott at the 65th Federal Council of the Liberal Party of Australia.
Picture: NewsWire/David Crosling His comments came after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese compared and contrasted the former Liberal leadership with the current. Speaking about Opposition Leader Angus Taylor in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Mr Albanese said parliament did not need to hear from the “Tony Abbott cover band”.
“We had the real thing out there on Friday become national president. Then he did seven interviews yesterday, because he knows that this bloke just ain’t up to the job,” he said. Mr Canavan did not address the characterisation, but told Sky News the Coalition had a “strong team”.
“We’re going to fight for conservative values and principles... like spending with restraint, lowering taxes, scrapping net zero and common sense on energy, and... securing our borders once more,” he said. The Coalition is attempting to address a series of election defeats across Australia and growing competition from Pauline Hanson's One Nation. Nationals leader Matt Canavan said he was amongst those in the opposition who welcomed Tony Abbott’s return.
Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman Since taking on the role, Mr Abbott has been a constant presence in the media, outlining policy positions and attempting to reconnect the party with voters who have drifted away from the Coalition. Data from across several pollsters has mapped a bleak future for the Coalition since December while simultaneously charting a surge in support for Ms Hanson’s once-fringe party. the polling reflects widespread dissatisfaction with Labor rather than a permanent shift away from the Coalition.
“We are drifting backwards. Our economy is stagnating, our society is fragmenting, our security is imperilled, and underneath it all, there is a kind of spiritual malaise,” he said in a speech on Friday.
Tony Abbott Matt Canavan Coalition Liberal Party Nationals
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