Ahjay, IMO the lengthy extract from the book is compelling reading and includes this [my emphasis]:
"... Abbott's gratuitous advice to the media and the ridiculous boast of his government's virtuousness summed up why it had failed. Abbott and Credlin had created a climate of fear and resentment that cost them dearly. There is overwhelming evidence that Abbott and Credlin used journalists as weapons against their own side. By boasting of his own purity and criticising the behaviour of others, the proud Christian showed the hypocrisy at the heart of his personality. More honesty and charity might have made Abbott a less unpopular leader. As historians and political scientists consider why the Abbott government didn't succeed, they may focus on a question of culpability: was Abbott or Credlin to blame? ..."
and this :
"... Credlin's side of the story deserves to be told. She is a remarkable woman: capable, funny, clever and brave. She was Abbott's closest aide, his most important ally, his strongest supporter. Abbott relied too much on her, asked too much of her and gave her too much power.
Abbott had a responsibility to protect Credlin from herself. His failure destroyed them both."
