The former Howard Government minister suffered a hefty pay cut...

The former Howard Government minister suffered a hefty pay cut after the Coalition lost power, with his $200,000-plus salary shrinking to about $127,000 a year.

“The advent of the Rudd government has caused serious mortgage stress for a section of the Australian community, ie former Howard government ministers,” he joked in January 2008.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-says-huge-morgage-keeps-him-in-touch-with-general-public/story-fn5z3z83-1225903491120


"What a fool to even try and deflect."

Just making the point that your beloved leader thinks that 127 grand is not a lot of money to pay the mortgage .
Honest toiler that he is.