Business leaders rip Abbott a new asshole

Australian business leaders, once the closest of Abbott allies, have comprehensively abandoned their love affair with him and replaced it with "actively hating" him. Particularly referred to is his confrontational and combative style, constantly at war with everyone.

Within months Abbott's pugilistic style and policy missteps - from his handling of the economy to awarding Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip an Australian knighthood - have proved hugely unpopular with the public and divisive within his party. 

The uncertainty that has created has become "poisonous" for investor confidence, said Kate Carnell, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

"Do we feel like, 'okay, everything's okay now?' We don't. We feel like he's been given ... six months to deliver and I don't think there is a huge, overpowering confidence that that's going to happen," Carnell told Reuters. 

His obsession with political "trench warfare" against the opposition Labor Party rather than reforming Australia's wobbly economy was reflected in this week's unemployment figures, which jumped to 6.4 percent from 6.1, the worst since 2002, she said. 

"We don't want him to focus on beating Bill Shorten." Carnell said, referring to the Labor Party leader. "We want him to focus on running the country." more

Is there anyone left to abandon Tone then?