We might have to wait another 12 to 18 months but Abbott will be PM. Abbott may have lost the politics but he won the election.
The Moral Case for Government
While not ensuring government, the moral argument all adds to the case for government.
By any measure the Coalition have won the vote. They remain ahead on the two-party preferred and are way ahead on the primary vote by around 700,000 votes. For goodness sake, the ALP only achieved 34 per cent and 31 per cent of the primary vote in QLD and WA respectively. There is plenty of hope in the election results.
The independents basically betrayed their own electorates in supporting the ALP and by their own admission did it because they considered that Abbott would win an early election, which would be the death knell of their minority reign over a minority government.
The up-shot is that Gillard does not have a political mandate for much.
Future Uncertainty
Abbott’s ability to exploit the uncertainty and divisions in the new Gillard government, juxtaposed by his election victory come political defeat, will set the stage for eventual division and a Gillard defeat.
Add in the Greens and their extremist social and economic policies, the independents and their new found arrogance and lust for power and then Family First and Democratic Labor Party Senators with their brand of Christian socialism, it will make for a right royal circus of hilarious proportions. A poisoned chalice Gillard seems desperate to drink from.
Meanwhile Abbott can just stand back and watch it all unfold.
There is also the prospect of a by-election – for whatever reason – to add a little spice into the mix. Or should I say into the drink.
There is still plenty of hope for a Gillard failure. Like in the USA with Obama, when Gillard fails Australia will be one step closer to success.