February 3, 2015 9:19am by David Farrar

Abbott fights for survival

Tony Abbott has junked his most controversial personal policies, promised no changes to the GST without Labor backing, and pledged to lead Australia’s most consultative government in the future as he attempts to head off a challenge to his leadership.

But some Liberals remain hostile in the wake of mistakes, the Queensland election result and polling showing that most voters expect him to be replaced.

Unveiling plans for a comprehensive families package, a new tax cut of at least 1.5 per cent for small business, tighter restrictions on foreign investment in the housing market, and stronger national security laws including a ban on the radical Islamist group, Hizb ut Tahrir, Abbott urged colleagues to “buckle down to the business” of governing rather than succumb to internal division.

The junking of the hideously expensive paid parental policy is a good thing – except for the fact they campaigned on it. So his integrity takes another hit. And the pledge to be more consultative will only work, if people think it is genuine.

“People are sick of Australian citizens – including people born and bred here – making excuses for Islamist fanatics in the Middle East and their imitators here in Australia,” he said.

“It’s not good enough just to boost the police and security agencies, which we’ve done … and to improve data retention, which we’re doing. We have to tackle the people and the organisations that justify terrorism and act as its recruiting agents – such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir.

“If cracking down on Hizb-ut-Tahrir and others who nurture extremism in our suburbs means further legislation, we will bring it on and I will demand that the Labor Party call it for Australia.”

That will be interesting.

“At the heart of our small business jobs package will be a small business company tax cut on July 1 – at least as big as the 1.5 per cent already flagged,” he told the National Press Club.

Not sure about having different tax rates for different business sizes. Could lead to huge avoidance.

UPDATE: Sky News is reporting Abbott asked Julie Bishop to pledge not to challenge him, and she has refused!!