Abbott ridicules Labor's 'civil war'
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott ridicules what he calls "the civil war" raging inside Labor's ranks.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott today pledged to ensure "a kinder, gentler" style of national politics as he intensified his pitch to woo the independents and form a minority government.
Mr Abbott described as "very radical" the idea of independent MP Rob Oakeshott for a unity government made up of ministers from the two main political parties.
Let's mix and match: Oakeshott
Tony Abbott launches the opposition's campaign in Brisbane. Photo: Michelle Smith
"I'm a very magnanimous man, but that might be going too far," he said.
However, he left open the prospect of including one or more of the independents in his team, adding he believed there could be "a serious role for a range of different people from different political organisations".
''I think we can have a kinder, gentler polity. I think we can be a more collegial polity than we've been."
Tipping a renewed emphasis on rural and regional communities, Mr Abbott also ridiculed "the civil war" raging inside Labor. He argued there was widespread disunity in Prime Minister Julia Gillard's ranks - and this underscored the Coalition's claims of having the best case for stable government.
He said "only the Coalition" - which, like Labor, looks certain to need the support of the three independent MPs - could offer a reformed Parliament.
"I understand the desire of the independents for a new style of politics," he said.
He said he would approach the talks with "patience and forbearance and a generosity of spirit".
"Only the Coalition is capable of offering the country a consultative and collegial political culture," he said.
"This is very much in our political DNA. I simply make the point that you will not get new politics from an old government."
Mr Abbott said former and current Labor premiers, including ALP national president Anna Bligh, had attacked the Labor campaign - with the Queensland Premier talking of the "miserable failure" of ousting former prime minister Kevin Rudd. This showed how divided the party had become so soon after Saturday's election, the result of which still relies on postal votes.
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and former NSW leader Morris Iemma have also spoken out at campaign failures, with Mr Iemma calling for the head of the ALP's campaign chief, Karl Bitar.
Mr Abbott repeated his argument the Coalition had secured 500,000 more primary votes than Labor.
He said he had left a voice message for Greens MP Adam Bandt - who has publicly declared his support for Labor - to congratulate him on winning the seat of Melbourne.
He warned any Labor government would be forced to embrace Greens policies, and this meant "it would be very bad for regional Australia". It also meant an increase in the mining tax, restrictions on marine areas, and the near-certainty of a carbon tax.
