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