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Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott, a former journalist, entered parliament in 1994, representing the affluent Sydney Warringah constituency ever since. A former seminarian who promised tough action against illegal migrants, Abbott is a keen cyclist and swimmer. Abbott, from the right-wing of the New South Wales Liberal Party, is a quick-witted, ideological warrior. He is considered the action man of Australian politics. His beliefs are deeply conservative and he is a staunch Catholic. Married, with three children, Abbott has consistently opposed relaxing laws on abortion, same-sex marriages and stem cell research. While Abbott may connect with the Liberal base, some Liberals are fearful his very conservative views will alienate critical swing voters, particularly women.

In 2007 Abbott demonstrated his propensity for insensitivity and controversy during what was a disastrous election campaign for him. At the mid-point of the November 2007 election campaign, Health Minister Tony Abbott -- a capable performer with a sharp tongue but questionable judgment -- managed to halt the Government's momentum by insulting a wheelchair-bound asbestos victims-rights campaigner the day before he arrived late to his nationally-televised debate with his Australian Labor Party (ALP) counterpart. His testy performance at and after the debate only served to obscure PM Howard's announcement of government-funded outpatient clinics around the country.

After former Health Minister Tony Abbott pulled out of the leadership contest, in 2007 the majority of right-wing MPs threw their support behind Brendan Nelson, effectively delivering him the leadership. Therefore, he was likely to be attuned to their concerns. Abbott, in particular, was eager to defend the Howard legacy.

The Opposition Liberal Party was in turmoil in November 2009 after an unprecedented revolt against leader Malcolm Turnbull and his decision to support the Government's climate change legislation. Malcolm Turnbull's decision to back the government's emissions trading scheme has deeply divided the Liberal party, causing Tony Abbott - from the party's right to stand for the Party's leadership. On 27 November 2009, Abbott announced he would challenge Turnbull for the leadership if Turnbull didn't change his position. The election of new Liberal Leader Tony Abbott on December 1 was the final blow, as he immediately signaled he would not vote for the bills, characterizing them as "a $120 billion tax on Australians." All the Independent, Green, National Party and Liberal (save two) senators voted against the climate change bill. Prior to the coup against Turnbull, conventional wisdom was that Turnbull would survive long enough to ensure sufficient Liberal support for the passage of Rudd's signature first term reform. Critics said, without a binding global agreement, the proposed measure would cost jobs and damage the economy.

Opposition Liberal Party Leader Tony Abbott announced 08 December 2009 a new shadow cabinet that highlighted a shift toward a more aggressive and conservative approach toward the Government. The new lineup favored those who backed Abbott's overthrow of Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal leader. Joe Hockey remains Shadow Treasurer; Deputy Leader Julie Bishop keeps Foreign Affairs; and David Johnston stayed as Shadow Defense Minister. Abbott's key supporter, Senate Leader Nick Minchin, was rewarded with the Energy and Resources portfolio, which allowed him to have a major voice on climate change issues. Former Howard Government Ministers Kevin Andrews, Philip Ruddock and Bronwyn Bishop were promoted from the backbench. Outspoken National Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce - a vehement opponent of emissions trading - assumed the Finance portfolio. The combative Eric Abetz stepped into the Employment and Workplace Relations.

Tony Abbott hoped to oust Australia's left-of-center government in the 21 August 2010 election, but it didn't happen. Opinion polls showed that Tony Abbott's Liberal Party was level with the governing Labor Party as voters prepared to cast their ballots. In the final phase of the campaign, Tony Abbott embarked on a 36-hour non-stop bout of electioneering to convince voters he should become Australia's next prime minister. One of the cornerstones of his efforts to win the election was a hard-line stance on asylum seekers who try to enter the country illegally. Abbott favored reopening a controversial offshore detention center on Nauru in the South Pacific to hold illegal migrants while their asylum claims are processed. He has repeatedly promised to turn back boats carrying migrants into Australian waters.

As the campaign came to an end, Abbott said it had been an exhausting, yet thrilling experience. "Have I enjoyed the campaign? The short answer is yes. I mean it's been tough, it's been stressful; at times I've thought 'Oh, geez, you know, this is a bit depressing', because you know, we're all human," he explains, "I mean even senior politicians are human, we're subject to the usual range of emotions. But most of all it's been just the most incredible challenge and an incredible honor."

The head of the Liberal Party is often regarded as a maverick. In a radio interview he confessed that he did not always speak the whole truth, prompting opponents to label him "Phoney Tony." His critics also portray Abbott as an economic novice, whose lack of experience could damage Australia's accelerating economy. In turn, the opposition leader accused his Labor rivals of being wasteful and incompetent.

Abbott's conservative coalition won 73 seats in the 150-seat parliament, while Prime Minister Julia Gillard had 72 and the likely support of a single Green Party member. That left the balance of power with four unaligned members of parliament.

On 26 August 2010 Abbott caved in to demands from three of the independent lawmakers that he submit his election promises to an analysis by the Treasury Department. Prime Minister Gillard had already agreed to the demand from the three rural lawmakers, who held the balance of power after left both major parties short of a majority. The independents are requesting more information in a total of seven areas before they decide whether to support Gillard's Labor Party or Abbott's Liberals. Australian news media reported there is a $700 million discrepancy between Mr. Abbott's public positions and the actual cost of his promises.

Australia introduced a carbon tax 01 July 2012. The levy forced about 300 of the country's biggest polluters to pay roughly $23 for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit. The aim is to encourage heavy polluters to invest in cleaner technology to reduce their tax liability and help the environment. Australia is the world's largest coal exporter and one of the biggest per capita greenhouse gas emitters. Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the carbon tax is the most important environmental and economic reform Australia has seen in a decade.

In May 2012 the loss of hundreds of jobs at an aluminum smelter in the New South Wales Hunter Valley prompted an attack on the government by the opposition leader Tony Abbott, who promised to kill the levy if he wins the next election. "Given that the carbon tax is already a wrecking ball swinging through the aluminum industry, the coal industry, the steel industry and the aviation industry, will the prime minister apologize to the 344 workers whose livelihoods are now imperiled by her broken promise never to have a carbon tax?" Abbott asked.

In June 2012 Abbott said he would not support the government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Malaysia, in return for Australia accepting thousands of certified refugees from that country. Abbott argued that asylum seekers should be sent to an Australian-sponsored camp on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru, which had housed detainees in the past. He told the parliament in Canberra that he is committed to stopping boats heading to Australia.