As I have mentioned in previous posts here, Tony Abbott was a very effective Opposition Leader who virtually destroyed two Labor PMs... Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. However, Abbott never seemed to transition into an effective Prime Minister. He always behaved as if he were still in opposition. After a while, people began to tire of his reliance on three word slogans... "Stop the boats" and "Axe the tax".

Turnbull can probably expect a brief honeymoon period. He is a most accomplished speaker and is a natural for TV. But he has formidable problems facing him now. China is in an economic slow down, which means that we are close to a recession. The Liberal Party has many ultra right MPs who may cause mischief. Turnbull is often accused of behaving like an arrogant patrician, and we do know that he doesn't suffer fools gladly. However, he has promised to change his ways and behave in a consensual manner with his cabinet and his colleagues.

Watch this space!