05.00 am, Friday May 25 2012

Leadership spill pointless, says Abbott

13:00 AEDT Thu Feb 23 2012
By Will Jackson, ninemsn
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Opposition leader Tony Abbott has called on the Labor Party to let the Australian people decide who should be prime minister.

Speaking at a press conference in Warwick, in Queensland, he said it did not matter who won Monday's leadership spill.

"Whatever happens it will be the faceless men pulling the strings," he said.

"The only way to get away from a government based on backroom deals is to have an election.

"Let the people decide."

Read more:
Gillard to challenge Rudd in leadership ballot
Rudd return could trigger early election
Rudd 'jumped before he was pushed'
Government 'unworthy' after resignation: Abbott
Rudd to get an 'important message': Crean

VIDEO: Gillard snaps back at 'rude' journo
VIDEO: Rudd's Thursday morning press conference
VIDEO: Rudd's initial press conference
VIDEO: Laurie Oakes on the leadership fight

Mr Abbott was scathing of the government's behaviour during the ongoing leadership struggles.

"Every time a minister opens their mouth we learn more about the depth of poison that afflicts the current government," he said.

"I say to the Australian people do not lose heart. We can have a better government. We are as a people better than this."

He declared that the Coalition was ready to lead the country.

"The Coalition is a stable and united team and stand ready to give Australia the good government it needs," he said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard this morning vowed to end the leadership question "once and for all" by challenging Kevin Rudd to a leadership ballot at 10am on Monday morning.

Ms Gillard said if she loses the ballot, she would go to the backbench and "renounce any further claims to the leadership".

The announcement came after former foreign minister Kevin Rudd's bombshell last night that he was quitting his position.

Mr Rudd said he could not go on in the role without Ms Gillard's support.

 

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