but after Abbotts bold predictions that he would be in the lodge by this christmas
Was reported as a throwaway line, not a bold prediction. I don't think anyone denies that Abbott has been hoping some sort of event, such as a minister being thrown in jail, would throw the government's minority hold into disarray but it was always going to be a longshot. Now that the government has continued with their dodgy tactics and secured an extra vote, that is highly unlikely to happen now until the next election.
Abbott is not the greatest coalition leader to have taken the reigns but this just shows how bad Gillard and co have been when he topples them easily at the next election. Abbott could be a monkey and still win, but that's still better than being a puppet, at least in the eyes of the Australian voter.
