Abbott’s chance at resurrection is officially over

TONY Abbott’s colleagues have had a gutful of him. And if the expletives they’re sharing with me are an indication, they’re no longer holding back, writes Sky News’ Laura Jayes.

THE Turnbull Government’s war with Tony Abbott has just gone nuclear.

For many ministers a distraction from Barnaby Joyce’s woes was welcomed.

Even if they had to rebuke a former Prime Minister, at least the conversation about immigration is friendly territory for the Coalition.

But this week’s attack from the Warringah Warrior has left them no choice but to unleash hell.

“One thing I am not going to cop is gratuitous criticism from ministers who are only in government because I led them there,” Mr Abbott wrote. “Even so, I would be failing the taxpayers who provide my salary if I didn’t offer some thoughts on how our country’s pressing problems might be addressed.”

The reaction to Mr Abbott’s piece of catharsis has been cutting.

From one Minister who is of course ‘only in Government because Abbott lead him there’: “F**k him. He’s a dog whistling piece of s**t”.

Another said: “He thinks he’s half clever when he deliberately throws red meat, then tries to dress it up as an intellectual argument.”

By and large, the Liberal Party has dismissed Abbott’s latest comments. (Pic: Mick Tsikas)

Another noted “If he was genuinely concerned about house prices, he’d know the only game in town is supply. Why didn’t he do something about that?”

Those views were shared privately.

Publicly they will ignore and dismiss his view.

Any merit these ideas had are consumed by his own revenge.

Like Kevin Rudd, it seems to be vanity driving Tony Abbott. Almost two years on he still can’t understand why his colleagues failed to recognise his genius.

Mr Abbott’s nuclear ambitions have blown up any remaining chance at leadership. And I’m not even talking about a return to the Prime Ministership, that’s long gone.

He’s diminished.

He was once the very definition of an establishment political insider. Now he’s an outsider — not by choice but because no one will let him back in.

Watch NewsDay with Laura Jayes, Monday – Thursday from 12pm – 4pm AEDT on Sky News.

Originally published as Abbott’s chance at resurrection is officially over