The Government policies are the principal problem. Our Current Account will deteriorate substantially as we attempt to source all our trucks, trains, cars, refrigerators, washing machines and liquid refined fuels overseas.

One of the right wing think tanks (CIS) only yesterday advocated resistance to those who seek to restore Australian industry. The Modest Member became well known years ago for advocating that it would be cheaper to pay unemployment benefits than produce clothing and footwear in Australia. In other words, employ people on slave labour wages and conditions so those in jobs that do not face foreign competition can live even higher on the hog. The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) and Malcomb Turnbull recently paid tribute to the Modest Member!

The Current (foreign) Account deficit is our biggest problem.
With a CA deficit the private financial wealth situation will deteriorate unless the Sovereign (currency issuing) Government deficit is larger than the CA deficit.

But Australia could follow what Whitlam wanted to do. Extract as high a profit as feasible from companies depleting Australia's natural resources. We could take a leaf out of Norway's book.

I can't see them replacing Abbott any time soon, as to do so would seem like there is instability in the party.
They would not want to appear as unstable as the Liberal Party were before the last election.

I would love to see Malcolm Turnbull take the reins, but I doubt that will ever happen as he doesn't have the support.
Julie Bishop will never get the top job because she is female.

So we are stuck with Tones...

Yes Foxy, Bishop is doing well, & would probably take twits like Shorten apart, but she is not going to replace Abbott.

He is doing an amazingly good job, considering the forces in the senate are prepared to cause as much mayhem & damage to Oz as possible to try to regain power. He gets a bit soft & soppy occasionally, but will probably toughen up with more experience.

Nothing on earth could ever get Turnbull elected PM, while he is a member of the LNP. Most LNP voters would prefer to see him kicked out, & would never elect him. He appears to be a mix of Whitlam, Fraser & Rudd, any of which should debar him from ever holding any serious office. Most LNP voters I know would elect almost anyone than him, even Shorten.

He would be an improvement in leadership for Labor however. Why don't you get him to swap parties. I'll carry his bags across the chamber, if that would help.

So don't get your hopes up that the Libs will self destruct. You are going to have to find someone with some ability to replace most of Labor's top people to become credible, & earn reelection, not inherit it.

In order to replace Abbott, the LNP would have to replace Credlin...who appears to have been anointed by the powers that be and the IPA with the job of running the show and pulling Abbott's (and Cabinet's) strings.

A link that may be of interest:

1) http://www.smh.com.au/comment/no-way-tony-abbott-can-now-budget-for-a-second-term-20140521-zrjie.html

My personal feelings are that Malcolm Turnbull should be elected
as the leader of the Liberal Party and Chris Bowen as the leader
for the Labor Party. It would be a close run at the next election
but a well matched one. Peta Credlin's time I feel is limited,
as is her sphere of influence.

Foxy, can you please provide a couple of examples, in your own words of what you mean by "the contradictions between what this government claims to stand for and what it does." I've always admired your writing style but lately a lot of your comment has been quotes from articles/editorials that express a view you agree with.

To be clear I prefer the Coalition over Labor everyday of the week however I am also very disappointed in a lot of the policies that were floated in the budget and disappointed in Hockey's performance. But Labor and Shorten are not offering anything new or admitting the mistakes of the past 6 years.

I'm very surprised to read your support for Chris Bowen, a man I have no respect for whatsoever. In saying that I wouldn't want to see the back-stabbing Tanya Plibersek get the opportunity either. Perhaps Labor's best change is to recruit Malcolm Turnbull who appears to be a sheep in wolves clothing.

Getting to your question, I don't see the Coalition dumping a sitting PM after the backlash of Labor's two ill-fated coups.