SYDNEY—After repeated gaffes and declining popularity, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing open rebellion within conservative ranks and talk of leadership challenge is rife.
Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett says both public and party support has moved away from Mr Abbott and described the Prime Minister’s position as “terminal”.
Tony Abbott was “a man of very good values” Mr Kennett said but the problems were “self-inflicted” and must be “resolved as quickly as possible”.
“We are 12 weeks away from the 2015 budget and we haven’t passed the 2014 budget,” he told ABC radio on Feb 4.
Dr Ian Cook, lecturer in politics at Murdoch University in Western Australia is shocked that the Abbott Government has come to this point.
“It’s bizarre to be thinking about them this vulnerable,” he said in a phone interview. “I am shocked.”
