Political debate rages after Tony Abbott launches new book

Making Australia Right was the topic of the book being launched in Sydney on Thursday night, but it turned into the start of a political debate.

Tony Abbott gave a speech during the official launch of the book of essays, saying voters have been disappointed with the Coalition government and it is losing conservative support.

“Our challenge is to be worth voting for,” Mr Abbott said at the launch on Thursday night.

“It’s to win back the people who are giving up on us … It won’t be easy but it must be possible or our country is doomed to a Shorten government.”

“Plainly there are lots of people who are concerned about our direction, and plainly the risk is that we will drift to defeat if we don’t lift our game,” he said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull gave a rebuttal on Melbourne radio station 3AW this morning, saying his government had achieved more than his predecessor, by achieving policy change rather than talking about it.

“In the last six months or so since the election, we have achieved more through the Senate with fewer seats in the House and fewer seats in the Senate than we did in the previous three years,” Mr Turnbull told radio 3AW.

“I had the courage not just to give speeches, but to act.”

He did say it wasn’t all up to him though, to ensure the success of the government.

“Every member of the Government has got to ask the question, are they contributing to the success of the government?” Mr Turnbull said

Mr Turnbull commented he would not go into his private conversations with Mr Abbott, when asked about the potential for a second run in power, but did say Mr Abbott “knows exactly what he’s doing”.

Do you agree that the current government is doing a better job?