"Since attaining voting age I don't ever recall witnessing such a wide diversity of opinions and debate, concerning the leadership qualities and the administrative potential of our current Prime Minister Tony ABBOTT ?"

Surely you jest, or else have a very short memory as essentially the same accusations and criticisms were made of Rudd and Gillard.

"Nobody seriously expected Mr Abbott to win the last election."
" but everybody expected Labor to lose,"

That is the whole explanation.
Abbott did not win, Labor lost. So it was a government by default.
This is not a way to run a country. It certainly did not give him a mandate to do anything but hold the country together till a better government came along.
But there's the problem. Where will one come from?
The labor party are still in their typicaly self destruct mode with all their factions fighting for power. The Greens are a loose cannon and are as usual going off in different directions and ignoring the important problems to concentrate on minor details. The other splinter groups are powerless to do anything but temporarily hold the balance of power till they get dislodged at the next election.
So where does that leave us?
Drifting along with a man in charge who really should be having treatment for his mental state.
We are living in interesting times.

Thank you CONSERVATIVE HIPPIE...

Another glaring mistake I'm afraid ? I meant a LNP Prime Minister. I could perhaps also regress to the WHITLAM era as well, because Gough WHITLAM caused many very angry retorts for his alleged arrogance ? The 'loans' affair, Lionel MURPHY'S appointment to the bench of the HCA ? His choice of Dr Jim CAIRNS as his treasurer and the good Doctor's 'irregular' association with the 'delectable' Ms. Junie MOROSI ?

Even Sir William McMAHON, a lacklustre LNP, PM, if there ever was one, didn't cop the never ending salvos of derision from the media, that PM ABBOTT receives ? I really don't know what it is ?

ROBERT LePAGE you offer an interesting précis apropos PM ABBOTT'S rise to power ? Your last sentence or so, you suggest he should seek treatment for a mental condition ? It's interesting how many people harbour similar views ? Do you or anyone else, really believe the blokes 'crackers' ? What's the evidence ? Politicians do some pretty bizarre things at times, but are they legitimately 'nuts' ? Could they adduce 'McNAUGHTEN'S Rule' as a defence if ever they're prosecuted ?

Indeed Robert, we're living in interesting times ?

Anyone who watches this video and is not of the opinion that he is mental, should join him in therapy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wT9XS_TvzQ

<Mr Abbott last night contacted the widow of Lance Corporal MacKinney, Beckie, to explain and if necessary apologise.

''No one sacrifices more for our country than a soldier's widow,'' Mr Abbott said in a statement. ''It was an honour to speak with her again. I thoroughly discussed the Channel Seven report with her and don't believe that there are any issues between us. That's where this matter should now rest.''

The Canberra Times today reported that Mrs MacKinney had thanked Mr Abbott for calling her to discuss the issue.

''Tony and I spoke at length and I fully accept that he was quoted out of context in the television news,'' she said. ''As far as we, Jared's family, are concerned there is no issue,'' Mrs MacKinney said.

The Defence Force, analysts, serving and former soldiers have said the allegation that air support was lacking was false.

When Seven reporter Mark Riley confronted Mr Abbott with the vision yesterday, the Opposition Leader accused him of taking it out of context.

''You weren't there. I wouldn't seek to make light of the death of an Australian soldier,'' Mr Abbott said. ''You shouldn't be trying to turn this into a subsequent media circus.''

Asked how it was being turned into a media circus, a furious Mr Abbott was silent for seven seconds. This was followed by two equally long silences after further questions, during which Abbott stared angrily at Riley. Finally he said, ''I'm giving you the response you deserve.''>

http://tinyurl.com/pfqpkpm

Dear Banjo,

You asked me "What has gone from bad to worse
under the Abbott government?"

I guess you don't follow politics in this country.
You must have missed the list of Abbott's dirty
laundry that's been available for all to see.

Anyway, here's just one link that may help:

http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/laura-tingle/being-governed-by-fools-is-not-funny-20150319-1m2wd1

There's plenty more on the web.