There is no doubt in my mind that Tony Abbott had to go as leader of our Coalition Government. Abbott was on a hiding to nowhere. He’d lost the confidence of the vast majority of voters, as well as the majority of our elected representatives. He simply became ineffective. The broken promises, bungled budgets and most importantly of all, the failure to listen and to take action all led to his demise. That loss of confidence was highlighted in both the overall poll results as well as Mr Abbott’s personal rating and his personal performance suffered.
The Government under your leadership very quickly rocketed in the polls; both overall results and your personal rating as preferred PM. However, the tide is turning and whilst your personal rating is still extremely high and well above Bill Shorten’s according to the latest Newspoll the overall drop in party rating is of concern. After all, the party is bigger than the leader and when we start to drop against a pathetic opposition it's time for a reality check.
I declared my intention to stick with the government following the toppling of Tony Abbott. Whilst I have never been a fan I was prepared to give you a chance to show what you could do. Sadly, Mr Turnbull since you took over the leadership nothing much has changed. You certainly present much better than Mr Abbott and I prefer your approach to internal security issues. But, and there are many buts, our internal ‘bun fights’, ministerial falls from grace (as a result of events that happened under Mr Abbott’s leadership) are taking their toll. As a group of elected representatives our Coalition team has learned nothing. The behaviour of some simply disgusts me.
We were turning the tide, in an election winning position and there are those who will do everything possible to make sure we don’t win because of factional infighting. If it was the opposition driving this it would be understandable, but when it's people within our own party with an axe to grind it's unforgivable. Someone needs to yank some chains and quickly. That someone is you Mr Turnbull.
The ‘on the table, off the table’ budget reform water testing is also taking a toll. It's right to test the electorates appetite for change and reform, but the communication around that needs to be much, much better. It is looking suspiciously like indecision and the rumours that you and Scott Morrison are not on the same page isn’t helping. Labor is going a good job of turning the tide back on us. That needs to be addressed.
We have a foreign affairs minister who I think does a great job. But sadly, Julie Bishop is starting to look like an international party girl probably better suited to working for a fashion house than driving our foreign relationships. It’s the old ‘perception’ factor rearing its ugly head. A lot of that press is down to the media, but Julie puts herself in the position to start with. It needs to stop.
Then we have the back-down on the baby Asha issue. The headlines didn’t really tell the full story but we know that many people don’t read below the headline. The mere hint that we are softening our stance on asylum seekers results in concern that our borders will be weakened.
I am 100% in favour of change. Without change and renewal, we will stagnate and die. But, with that comes the vision. The vision story is sadly lacking. You are an excellent communicator, Mr Turnbull, but we hardly see or hear from you. Whilst you are still the preferred leader by a mile, it won’t last if issues are not addressed and if the vision for the future isn’t crystal clear, understood and re-enforced continually. Basic driving change 101 stuff.
We will no doubt be regaled with shouts of ‘bring Tony back’. No, thank you. But I don’t think I’m out of step with many others who were prepared to give the new look leadership a fair go and who are now becoming increasingly concerned. If Scott Morrison’s budget flops in May we are gone come the election and Labor will regain power. What a nightmare that would be.
I’ve said many times the popularity of the leader is an important factor, but the party is bigger and the party is losing its way. The promised changes under your leadership are not manifesting and it is taking its toll. Recalcitrant senators are blocking good policy and we seem incapable of getting them on side. Labor’s stocks are rising despite sub-standard leadership and stupid policies and the polls are inconceivably turning against us. Your popularity won’t carry us to victory.
We have time to turn this around, but we don’t have forever. We have to start getting ‘some runs on the board’. I won’t stay loyal forever and I suspect many others are feeling the same way. I’m also one of those who will be losing their long standing member in Philip Ruddock come the election. So I’m in a quandary. In the absence of personal loyalty to our effective sitting member and in the absence of necessary change I’ll be forced into an informal vote. That prospect fills me with no joy but I feel I don’t have an option.
Our future is in your hands Mr Turnbull. Don’t let us down.
