As for Abbott leading Aust down the US way, I can’t see it. In fact, I believe that it is he, rather than the dud and even Gillard, that will be more capable of leading and listening to a wider range of players to get a more effective policy mix. Just because the Coalition is a pro-business party does not mean that it is not subject to common sense. It just has a different approach, and the aust version under Abbott will remain vastly different from the US experience.

It is up to people, like you and others, interest groups, public opinion and so on, to offer ideas and/or summaries that appeal to all common sense leaders, rather than treat the policy game as a football game of us and them.

If you want to advocate a Scandinavian approach, one which remains quite successful, then you need to explain how it could be applied in the Aust context, including our rather different interaction with Asian rather than European nations. If you want to highlight the adverse effects of abandoning welfare needs, then show them. There are plenty of people on both sides of politics that are interested.

Today, Australia demands much better scholarship, more in line with the new demands facing all liberal democracies. Good ideas must be directed to both sides of politics

"If you already know that there isn't enough money in the coffers for Abbott to use then tell us right now." That's the point,Indy,we know how much is in the coffers and what is projected on the revenue side and we have no costings or budgeting from the LNP, only from Labor.

All we are told from the LNP is everyone kicks a goal and everyone's a winner because it has a "Plan" and the same old mugs we've suffered before to carry it through.

Forgetting about money and considering policy alone, the LNP is still coming up short on that too. It is relying heavily on building negativity and trash talking the economy to get it over the line

Not costed, and even when they're dangled as a vote winner, they're found wanting.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-15/climate-institute-coalition-carbon-policy/4888106

Abbott is pathetic as a party leader. A gaffe a day for three days running. That's what happens when he's required to think on his feet.

Gawd help us if he ends up PM - imagine the headlines when he's required to rattle around inside his brain for coherent rhetoric in an international forum.

Poirot, he can't be worse than Rudd.

As for international forums, who cares. We don't need another tosser saying he will save the world. I will be happy with someone saving Australia in line with international considerations

Chris,

You're another one who seems to think that "someday soon" Abbott will finally display the intelligence and savvy that he's bee hiding under a bushel.

Sorry mate, what you see is what you get.

It's even more devastating that it's so clear since he's been required to speak off the cuff during the election campaign that he's a pretty vacuous fellow.

It was quite easy for him during his time as opposition leader to just sit back and watch Gillard being pummelled by all and sundry - now we get to see what he is made of.....which, unfortunately, appears to resemble a little of what George Dubya consisted of.

Not much at all behind the facade.

(And his red hot team aren't much better)

P,

Abbott can't be that bad, his party is united and consistent, and has brought 2 labor PMs to a sticky end.

None of TA's gaffes have cost us $250bn like Rudd's.