Abbott's captain's call an affront to his cabinet

Max Walsh, 22 August 2013, The Australian Financial Review (subscription required)

The increasingly presidential style of our leaders has changed the balance of power between the prime minister and government.

Tony Abbott concedes that many Liberals, including those in the parliamentary party, oppose his paid parent leave plan. That has not stopped him from pushing ahead with it and, in fact, making it the centrepiece of his election platform.

It is "a captain's call", which means the prime minister departs from his/her primus inter pares (first among equals) role to impose his/her will on the cabinet.

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Max Walsh

Contributor

Max Walsh was for many years one of Australia’s top economic and political commentators, highly regarded as a journalist, author and broadcaster. Throughout his career, Max was involved in all dimensions of the media industry, which has encompassed positions with two of Australia’s largest publishing companies and television networks.

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