Fed: Liberal Time Warp with a lurch to the right

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2009
Fed: Liberal Time Warp with a lurch to the right

By Sandra O'Malley

CANBERRA, Dec 8 AAP - It's a bit like the Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Except Tony Abbott has neglected the jump to the left and gone for a lurch to the right.

In crafting his new shadow ministry, Abbott has elevated some of the most polarising
figures from the former Howard government - Kevin Andrews, Philip Ruddock and Bronwyn
Bishop.

Together Andrews - in families and human services - and Bishop - in seniors - will
be the face of coalition welfare policy.

They're not the only conservatives to be rewarded in the new line-up.

Nick Minchin, Eric Abetz, Cory Bernardi, Barnaby Joyce and Mathias Cormann - all critics
of Malcolm Turnbull's climate change policy - are some of the biggest winners from the
reshuffle.

Abetz will prosecute a new, more hardline approach to workplace relations, and Minchin
will be in charge of the resources and energy policy.

The likes of Andrews, Ruddock, Bishop and Joyce will be a gold mine for Labor campaign
strategists looking for golden moments to use in campaign advertising for the next election.

Anthony Albanese, Labor's chief headkicker, gave a taste of the line of attack the
Rudd government will use against an Abbott-led coalition.

"What we have seen today is final proof that the extremists and climate change deniers
have taken over the Liberal Party," he said.

Abbott has given them plenty of ammunition.

Despite protestations of a balanced team, key Turnbull supporters were dumped from
shadow cabinet - Michael Ronaldson, Steve Ciobo and Michael Keenan - and Andrew Southcott
was banished from the ministry altogether.

Abbott maintains the moderates have done okay.

Joe Hockey and Chris Pyne have retained their jobs - as shadow treasurer and the education,
apprenticeships and training portfolio, respectively.

Scott Morrison in immigration and Greg Hunt in climate action will be in charge of
two of most important policy issues in the lead-up to the next federal election.

How much rope Abbott gives them to develop a more palatable, centrist policy will play
a crucial role in whether the voters see his leadership as conservative - or extremist.

The preliminary polling on the Abbott ascendancy confirms he is popular among the Liberal
Party base.

To win government, Abbott needs to take back the centre of the political spectrum,
which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has masterfully made his own.

In rewarding his conservative backers, Abbott will have to be careful.

He may have to keep some on a leash to ensure they don't resort to their past controversial
behaviour.

Madness, after all, can take its toll.

AAP so/sb/jl/de

KEYWORD: LIBERALS (AAP NEWS ANALYSIS)

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