What could have been if Abbott had kept his word. Claire Kimball...

What could have been if Abbott had kept his word.

Claire Kimball - Canberra Times - Sunday, 8 July 2018


You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em. Know when to fold ‘em. Know when to walk away, and know when to run. When it comes to life advice, Kenny Rogers' song The Gambler nails it.
It’s a shame a host of people across the news this week don’t have the level of self-awareness Kenny encourages us to strive for.

Books have been written about his prime ministerial failings and plenty more has been said about what he should do next. I don’t intend to add to the pile on.

But hypothetically, let’s just imagine things played out like this. In September 2015 Abbott fronts his final press conference as prime minister (in front of 1,000 Aussie flags) and says “there’ll be no wrecking, no undermining and no sniping” of the new Turnbull government. And he means it.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull then falters in the polls. After two years, he passes his benchmark of losing 30 consecutive Newspolls. But during this time, Abbott’s done what he promised to do. No wrecking, no undermining, no sniping.

If Abbott had mastered the art of Kenny’s famous "hold ‘em" strategy, it’s likely we’d be having a different conversation about the leadership of the Liberal Party - and our country - right now. Instead, he’s worked tirelessly to make himself irrelevant and, worse, the object of his colleagues’ pity.

As a result, many are now hoping he moves quickly on to the "fold ‘em" part of his story.
Even though Abbott has said he’s not going anywhere, you’d have to think this week’s demonstration of his isolation and irrelevance in the debate would have hurt. Or at least given him pause for thought about the future, even if he’s determined to stay in politics. Because if we take him at his word and his purpose truly is to improve our country, he’d have to acknowledge his current approach isn’t working.

Knowing when to jump to avoid suffering the indignity of being pushed is an art form, and almost no one in politics has ever pulled it off.

When the time comes, there’s nothing in Abbott’s playbook to suggest he’ll be rewarded with the send-off he deserves for a lifetime of public service. (And on that score, kudos goes to Jenny Macklin.)