The author shows his lack of realism by the following statement: Turnbull, always the rational businessman, but never the political entrepreneur, broke the first rule of opposition – never agree with the government unless their policy is demonstrably right in all respects and there is no acceptable alternative.

If one seriously applied that 'first rule' there would be almost complete gridlock unless government could stifle the opposition.

I feel that Abbott goes farther and disagrees with the government even when their policy is demonstrably right in all respects and there is no acceptable alternative. When he refused to pair a Coalition member with a Labor member in a vote so the Labor member could get away that was mindless opposition. Previous Labor and Coalition leaders have come to such agreements with no problem.

Turnbull was a reasonable leader. Abbott isn't. Apparently the Coalition parliamentarian prefer unreason.

Why can't an opposition agree on points, The way Abbott has conducted his strategy, has left people in the dark.
He has been screaming for an election for years, why would anyone follow him, no one knows what his ideas are. We have no policy and no character.
You want people to think Abbott is a statesman worthy of a chance at govt; For what reason should anyone think that.
A continual foot in mouth syndrome, Pledges in blood, Anti climate change, Uppercrust welfare.
Abbott's degree of negativity, his verbal violence against women, a pending court case.
He has not shown he can run a country, let alone conduct himself with dignity.

Tony Abbott says that the Coalition would reduce energy prices by eliminating the carbon tax, which would result in an electricity price drop of up to 10%. The Coalition's current Renewable Energy Target (RET) policy is no better than Labor's, namely retaining the RET.

However, retaining the RET would result in ongoing energy price increases, as renewable energies are at least twice as expensive as coal-fired energy. Because of the unreliability of renewables, it is essential to maintain coal or gas-fired backup power generation capacity.

The RET measures that have been implemented or are proposed will have no effect on climate change, and are scientifically and economically unjustified. Pursuing and achieving the RET is not in the national interest.

If Tony Abbott is really serious about reducing energy prices and restoring some of Australia's comparative advantage on energy sources , he must turn around and eliminate the RET. Of course, this requires courage, as he has to counter Labor's negative propaganda and convince the electorate

Labors negative propaganda, now there is a statement. The RET has not in existence long enough to trial anything. There is no carbon tax on renewables.
Wind back Toni is full of b/st. That is all he knows, the golden years.
Six coal fired plants shut down, more to go as alt power takes over.
Not reliable is B/st the sun is always shining somewhere.
Victoria is leading the way as usual, and we ain't winding back the clock for no one.

David F Tony Abbott would love to be able to agree with any good policies the Labor government had, if only they could come up with even one.

Why do you think they are screaming about Abbott not putting up his policies now? It is because they need some good policies they can pinch, being totally unable to find any of their own.

If I were a Labor supporter I would be hiding my head in shame, at the dreadful hate campaign the red head has dredged up out of what ever gutter it is she lives in, with her criminal union mates.

Lets see. We have a man who has been faithful to his wife and brought up three daughters to be successful and we have a PM whose past is scandals, associated with union thievery, naivity, lying etc etc. Character does or should matter to some. It works its way out in public policy. The public could not be so stupid as to relelect the most incompetent and deceitful Government this country has ever had. Or could it? Reading the Abbottphobia by the above posters demonstrates why we as a country are sliding into Greece like so quickly.