Jensen says PM more forthcoming
With the parliament adjourning until budget day, two MPs have given Tony Abbott a tick for lifting his game following his near-death experience.
Backbencher Dennis Jensen, the first Liberal to call on the prime minister to quit ahead of the party room spill motion last month, said he thought Mr Abbott's leadership was now safe.
He said he was impressed Mr Abbott - who described the spill as a near-death experience - hadn't bunkered down and adopted a siege mentality.
"In fact the PM has done the reverse. He has opened up, he's become far more forthcoming, far more available and I think that's all showing in terms of the public perception," he told ABC television.
Palmer United Party senator Zhenya Wang said Mr Abbott's description of the Senate as "feral" was a compliment as it meant they were doing their jobs in holding the government to account.
He said the government had been more pro-active in its consultations.
"Being a senator for a small party, I really appreciate that because going through the legislations myself, sometimes doesn't make any sense to me," he told ABC television.
