There was a time when Australian politics was a reasonably stable thing, a rather safe bet. Parties elected leaders who lasted for at least the term of a parliament. Prime Ministers were given the helm until they retired (R.G.Menzies) or lost an election (almost everybody else). Sitting Prime Ministers were rarely challenged, the consequence of which was thought to be electoral death.

In the last dozen years though, there has been a change, with the top job flipping every couple of years or so. This is where we are now. The current Liberal/National Party Government is entering a renewed period of instability because the former (toppled) PM is agitating against his successor, Malcolm Turnbull. The pugilistic Mr Abbott, having wrecked his own ship of state upon the rocks of hubris and incompetence, is now attaching himself like a barnacle to the current (foundering) vessel. But enough of this nautical nonsense.

It strikes me as obvious that Turnbull will have to meet Abbott upon his own ground in order to see him off. My suggestion is to give the ex-PM a good shirtfronting at a time and place to be agreed with a full press corps in attendance. While Abbott claims to be a bit of a shirtfronting specialist, meaning he talks a big game, he appears to falter in the follow through. Just ask the Russian President.

We could do worse than a little public shirtfronting.

Below: An artist's impression of the Tony Abbott and the Malcolm Turnbull. Narratives interchangeable.