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Tony Abbott, the man who promised to 'stop the boats', sails to victory Tony Abbott, the man who promised to 'stop the boats', sails to victory
(10 days later)
In front of four Australian flags and a royal blue backdrop, Tony Abbott took to the stage in the packed hall of a Sydney hotel to claim victory in his battle to be the next prime minister of Australia, with chants of "Tony, Tony, Tony" ringing out.In front of four Australian flags and a royal blue backdrop, Tony Abbott took to the stage in the packed hall of a Sydney hotel to claim victory in his battle to be the next prime minister of Australia, with chants of "Tony, Tony, Tony" ringing out.
He told the conservative Liberal party faithful he was "proud and humbled to take on the duties of government". "From today I declare that Australia is under new management and Australia is once more open for business," he said. "I pledge myself to the service of the country."He told the conservative Liberal party faithful he was "proud and humbled to take on the duties of government". "From today I declare that Australia is under new management and Australia is once more open for business," he said. "I pledge myself to the service of the country."
He said he looked forward to forming a government that was competent, trustworthy and would deliver on its commitments to Australia, including those on carbon emissions, refugees and the economy.He said he looked forward to forming a government that was competent, trustworthy and would deliver on its commitments to Australia, including those on carbon emissions, refugees and the economy.
Abbott's victory came as the Liberal party gained between 10 and 20 seats, in a swing of around 3.5% nationally, but fell short of the landslide victory that had been predicted by some.Abbott's victory came as the Liberal party gained between 10 and 20 seats, in a swing of around 3.5% nationally, but fell short of the landslide victory that had been predicted by some.
His election ends three years of Labor minority rule in a scrappy hung parliament. The outgoing prime minister, Kevin Rudd, retained his seat, but immediately stepped down as party leader.His election ends three years of Labor minority rule in a scrappy hung parliament. The outgoing prime minister, Kevin Rudd, retained his seat, but immediately stepped down as party leader.
"I know that Labor hearts are heavy across the nation tonight, and as your prime minister and as your parliamentary leader of the great Australian Labor party, I accept responsibility," Rudd said. "I gave it my all, but it was not enough for us to win.""I know that Labor hearts are heavy across the nation tonight, and as your prime minister and as your parliamentary leader of the great Australian Labor party, I accept responsibility," Rudd said. "I gave it my all, but it was not enough for us to win."
Last night, Rupert Murdoch, the Australian-born media mogul, tweeted his delight at the result: "Aust election public sick of public sector workers and phony welfare scroungers sucking life out of economy. Others [sic] nations to follow in time." His newspapers in Australia, with 70% of the country's readership, heavily backed Abbott. On the eve of the election, Abbott described Murdoch as a "hometown hero".Last night, Rupert Murdoch, the Australian-born media mogul, tweeted his delight at the result: "Aust election public sick of public sector workers and phony welfare scroungers sucking life out of economy. Others [sic] nations to follow in time." His newspapers in Australia, with 70% of the country's readership, heavily backed Abbott. On the eve of the election, Abbott described Murdoch as a "hometown hero".
In Britain, David Cameron said it would be "great working with another centre-right leader" after calling Abbott to congratulate him.In Britain, David Cameron said it would be "great working with another centre-right leader" after calling Abbott to congratulate him.
Abbott ran one of the most effective election campaigns in a generation. For three years his bare-knuckle brand of conservative politics created an atmosphere of crisis in the country. The economy was his trump card: waste, debt and deficit, he said, had led to a "budget emergency".Abbott ran one of the most effective election campaigns in a generation. For three years his bare-knuckle brand of conservative politics created an atmosphere of crisis in the country. The economy was his trump card: waste, debt and deficit, he said, had led to a "budget emergency".
The facts on the ground were quite different: 22 years of uninterrupted economic growth, low debt by world standards, unemployment at 5.7% and a triple-A rating from all three credit rating agencies. It meant nothing: perception was king.The facts on the ground were quite different: 22 years of uninterrupted economic growth, low debt by world standards, unemployment at 5.7% and a triple-A rating from all three credit rating agencies. It meant nothing: perception was king.
Abbott's aggression at the dispatch box drew blood time and again from a minority Labor government, at war with itself over leadership (first Kevin Rudd, then Julia Gillard, then back to Rudd). He exploited the disunity, painting the party as chaotic and dysfunctional. Labor's significant reforms, including disability and education policy, were rarely credited.Abbott's aggression at the dispatch box drew blood time and again from a minority Labor government, at war with itself over leadership (first Kevin Rudd, then Julia Gillard, then back to Rudd). He exploited the disunity, painting the party as chaotic and dysfunctional. Labor's significant reforms, including disability and education policy, were rarely credited.
Australians took to Abbott's pithy, three-word slogans, including his mantra to "stop the boats" of asylum seekers coming to the country.Australians took to Abbott's pithy, three-word slogans, including his mantra to "stop the boats" of asylum seekers coming to the country.
In the calendar year to September nearly 19,000 refugees arrived by boat (the figure grew significantly over the past 18 months but remains small by world standards). Abbott's conservative message was unmistakable: keep out.In the calendar year to September nearly 19,000 refugees arrived by boat (the figure grew significantly over the past 18 months but remains small by world standards). Abbott's conservative message was unmistakable: keep out.
In the swinging marginal seats on the edge of Australia's biggest city, it cut through like a hot knife in butter.In the swinging marginal seats on the edge of Australia's biggest city, it cut through like a hot knife in butter.
In St Mary's, 30 miles west of Sydney's harbour bridge, bungalows bake in the warm spring sun. Backyard cricket matches out here on the wide, grassy blocks will one day produce another Michael Clarke or Shane Watson. Families are largely white and working class. They fear asylum seekers will damage their way of life.In St Mary's, 30 miles west of Sydney's harbour bridge, bungalows bake in the warm spring sun. Backyard cricket matches out here on the wide, grassy blocks will one day produce another Michael Clarke or Shane Watson. Families are largely white and working class. They fear asylum seekers will damage their way of life.
"They are only coming here for the free money and the welfare," said Joann Gough, who lives and works in this part of western Sydney. "They turn up on boats with their small children as a way of getting sympathy. It's a disgrace.""They are only coming here for the free money and the welfare," said Joann Gough, who lives and works in this part of western Sydney. "They turn up on boats with their small children as a way of getting sympathy. It's a disgrace."
Her views are widely held. In the final week of the campaign, Abbott's newly successful candidate in the area, Fiona Scott, suggested refugees were responsible for worsening traffic jams and clogged hospital emergency departments. In fact, the latest figures available from the Department of Immigration show that only three refugees who arrived by boat were settled in this part of western Sydney in the seven months to June 2012.Her views are widely held. In the final week of the campaign, Abbott's newly successful candidate in the area, Fiona Scott, suggested refugees were responsible for worsening traffic jams and clogged hospital emergency departments. In fact, the latest figures available from the Department of Immigration show that only three refugees who arrived by boat were settled in this part of western Sydney in the seven months to June 2012.
Abbott says the country is facing a "national emergency"; he is to appoint a three-star general to oversee his "Operation Sovereign Borders".Abbott says the country is facing a "national emergency"; he is to appoint a three-star general to oversee his "Operation Sovereign Borders".
The political pressure he exerted in opposition on the issue was so great it forced Labor into a spectacular volte-face on processing refugees offshore. Tents and temporary structures on the tiny pacific islands of Manus and Nauru house refugees in conditions widely criticised by human rights groups. Thousands more live on bridging visas in Australia, unable to work while their claims are processed.The political pressure he exerted in opposition on the issue was so great it forced Labor into a spectacular volte-face on processing refugees offshore. Tents and temporary structures on the tiny pacific islands of Manus and Nauru house refugees in conditions widely criticised by human rights groups. Thousands more live on bridging visas in Australia, unable to work while their claims are processed.
Labor's parting shot in what had become a contest of who could appear toughest on refugees was a deal with Papua New Guinea. Refugees arriving by boat will now be settled there rather than in Australia.Labor's parting shot in what had become a contest of who could appear toughest on refugees was a deal with Papua New Guinea. Refugees arriving by boat will now be settled there rather than in Australia.
As prime minister, Abbott will go further, reducing Australia's humanitarian intake by 6,250 places a year to 13,750 and refusing refugees permanent residence, access to family reunions or to legal aid.As prime minister, Abbott will go further, reducing Australia's humanitarian intake by 6,250 places a year to 13,750 and refusing refugees permanent residence, access to family reunions or to legal aid.
According to Paul Power, chief executive of the Refugee Council of Australia, the psychological impact will be "devastating". "It's a huge emotional blow for a refugee to have demonstrated a need for protection from persecution and then only be given a temporary visa," he said.According to Paul Power, chief executive of the Refugee Council of Australia, the psychological impact will be "devastating". "It's a huge emotional blow for a refugee to have demonstrated a need for protection from persecution and then only be given a temporary visa," he said.
"I'm not convinced that the broader population outside some of these marginal electorates is committed to his harder line on refugees. In many ways they [asylum seekers] have become a proxy for other issues like infrastructure and traffic congestion.""I'm not convinced that the broader population outside some of these marginal electorates is committed to his harder line on refugees. In many ways they [asylum seekers] have become a proxy for other issues like infrastructure and traffic congestion."
Those close to Abbott laud him as a conviction politician whose views have remained largely consistent throughout his political career. On global warming, he has long been a sceptic, once describing the science of climate change as "absolute crap". Two months before the election he described carbon trading as "a so-called market in the non-delivery of an invisible substance to no one". His hyperbole that Australia's price on carbon would wipe towns off the map and destroy manufacturing came to nothing. But it set the scene for his mandate to axe the carbon tax as his first item of business.Those close to Abbott laud him as a conviction politician whose views have remained largely consistent throughout his political career. On global warming, he has long been a sceptic, once describing the science of climate change as "absolute crap". Two months before the election he described carbon trading as "a so-called market in the non-delivery of an invisible substance to no one". His hyperbole that Australia's price on carbon would wipe towns off the map and destroy manufacturing came to nothing. But it set the scene for his mandate to axe the carbon tax as his first item of business.
Like refugee policy, it hit home in western Sydney. On St Mary's run-down high street, two-dollar shops sit alongside tired-looking second-hand furniture stores. At Lucky's cafe, diners care little about carbon emissions and more about paying their mortgages and keeping their kids in school.Like refugee policy, it hit home in western Sydney. On St Mary's run-down high street, two-dollar shops sit alongside tired-looking second-hand furniture stores. At Lucky's cafe, diners care little about carbon emissions and more about paying their mortgages and keeping their kids in school.
Aloysius Kraaymaat, who emigrated from the Netherlands 50 years ago, says climate change is "a big con". Joann Gough says no one here cares about it: "I've never even heard anyone discuss it."Aloysius Kraaymaat, who emigrated from the Netherlands 50 years ago, says climate change is "a big con". Joann Gough says no one here cares about it: "I've never even heard anyone discuss it."
Abbott's "Direct Action" policy will put Australia at odds with much of the world on tackling climate change. Instead of forcing polluters to pay, he will pay them as an incentive to clean up their act. He will mobilise a 15,000-strong "green army" to plant trees and rely on carbon being captured in soil and forests to reduce emissions. Few analysts believe this will go anywhere near meeting his commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% by 2020 (on 2000 levels).Abbott's "Direct Action" policy will put Australia at odds with much of the world on tackling climate change. Instead of forcing polluters to pay, he will pay them as an incentive to clean up their act. He will mobilise a 15,000-strong "green army" to plant trees and rely on carbon being captured in soil and forests to reduce emissions. Few analysts believe this will go anywhere near meeting his commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% by 2020 (on 2000 levels).
Internationally, Abbott is perhaps best known as the target of the former prime minister Julia Gillard's misogyny speech. In a fiery 15-minute rant to parliament last October, she told him if he wanted to know what misogyny in modern Australia looked like, he should look in a mirror. She criticised his past suggestions that men were more adapted to "exercise authority or to issue a command" than women. She also attacked his suggestion that abortion was the "easy way out".Internationally, Abbott is perhaps best known as the target of the former prime minister Julia Gillard's misogyny speech. In a fiery 15-minute rant to parliament last October, she told him if he wanted to know what misogyny in modern Australia looked like, he should look in a mirror. She criticised his past suggestions that men were more adapted to "exercise authority or to issue a command" than women. She also attacked his suggestion that abortion was the "easy way out".
While Abbott has always polled worse with women than men, the row over gender that Gillard's speech gave rise to may ultimately have helped him on election day with undecided male voters. A string of gaffes on the campaign trail suggested he was using his knockabout, blokey persona to reach out to them, including his description of his candidate in St Mary's, Fiona Scott, as someone with "sex appeal". He also said she "wasn't just a pretty face".While Abbott has always polled worse with women than men, the row over gender that Gillard's speech gave rise to may ultimately have helped him on election day with undecided male voters. A string of gaffes on the campaign trail suggested he was using his knockabout, blokey persona to reach out to them, including his description of his candidate in St Mary's, Fiona Scott, as someone with "sex appeal". He also said she "wasn't just a pretty face".
He told the residents of the Big Brother house that he was "the guy with the not bad-looking daughters". Later he joked with a high-school girls' netball team that "a bit of body contact never hurt anyone". People close to him said they were off-the-cuff remarks that meant nothing. Others saw a man out of touch with women.He told the residents of the Big Brother house that he was "the guy with the not bad-looking daughters". Later he joked with a high-school girls' netball team that "a bit of body contact never hurt anyone". People close to him said they were off-the-cuff remarks that meant nothing. Others saw a man out of touch with women.
Abbott is a conservative Catholic who opposes gay marriage. He was educated at an elite Jesuit school in Sydney before studying economics and law at university. On his Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University he earned a boxing Blue and championed Margaret Thatcher. He is a monarchist who supports the Queen remaining head of state of Australia.Abbott is a conservative Catholic who opposes gay marriage. He was educated at an elite Jesuit school in Sydney before studying economics and law at university. On his Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University he earned a boxing Blue and championed Margaret Thatcher. He is a monarchist who supports the Queen remaining head of state of Australia.
Critics accuse him of being light on policy and heavy on rhetoric but voters, tired of a Labor's internal squabbling, have endorsed him wholeheartedly.Critics accuse him of being light on policy and heavy on rhetoric but voters, tired of a Labor's internal squabbling, have endorsed him wholeheartedly.
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