Advertisement

Philosophical and vengeful: Abbott’s contrasting faces

Sep 29, 2015
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott

There was philosophical Tony and vengeful Abbott.

As was often the case during his years of power, the elements within the deposed prime minister seemed at war with each other during his half-hour interview with Ray Hadley on 2GB.

At times he seemed resigned to his fate: “I always knew that politics was a pretty brutal business. It’s a game of snakes and ladders and yes, I’ve hit a snake.”

But soon, especially after being asked about the roles of Julie Bishop and Scott Morrison, there was a sharp edge to his replies.

A leader should be able to rely on those closest to him, rather than watching his own back: “If you are watching your back almost by definition you’re going backwards.”

He wouldn’t go into the details of a conversation Morrison had with his chief of staff Peta Credlin three days before the fatal party room vote. But it was obvious whose version he accepted when he added that the last thing he wanted was an `Abbott slams Morrison’ headline.

As the interview proceeded, the steel left its sheath.

Abbott railed against the “revolving door prime ministership” and “death by polls” while appealing to government supporters not to lose faith, even if they vote Liberal next time with “gritted teeth” because of what had happened.

And what had happened, by his version, had a Shakespearean inevitability.

The conspirators (he didn’t use that word, but that’s how he sees them) had to act when they did because internal polling showed the government would easily hold a by-election in Canning – and so kill off the claim that he was unelectable.

So should he have got rid of Credlin and Treasurer Joe Hockey?

Abbott’s real feeling surfaced.

When “someone is absolutely focused on a particular objective” (read Malcolm Turnbull, whose name Abbott largely avoided) they’re not going to be put off by being thrown a few “human sacrifices”.

He went on, mingling loyalty and bitterness.

“Joe and I were absolute blood brothers when it comes to economic policy and the idea that I could have just casually sacrificed Joe to save myself is dead wrong,” he said.

Or, on Credlin: “No-one worked longer or harder for our success … She did an absolutely marvellous job.”

The interview ended with some nonsense involving board shorts and Speedos, but by then we’d heard enough to know that Abbott, at 57 and saying he’s far too young to retire, is wounded and determined to protect his legacy.

– AAP

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.