Federal opposition leader Tony Abbott says Mike Rann's leadership woes are due to the carbon tax

• From: AAP
• July 31, 2011 1:41PM

 

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has used the impending downfall of South Australian premier Mike Rann to attack the federal government's carbon tax. 

 The Labor premier has reportedly been told by the party's factional bosses that they want him to step down as Labor leader after nine years as premier.

South Australian Education Minister Jay Weatherill is shaping up as the leading contender to take over the top job.

Mr Abbott said there were a lot of Labor leaders who were very insecure in their positions at the moment.

"Mike Rann is not the only Labor leader who would be feeling very insecure this week," he told reporters in Sydney today.

Mr Abbott said Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who grew up in South Australia, would also be insecure in her position as Labor leader because of the carbon tax.

"There are an enormous number of Labor backbenchers who feel Julia Gillard is leading the party to disaster," he said.

"There's an enormous number of Labor backbenchers in mining seats, in manufacturing seats, motor vehicle manufacturing seats who feel that this tax is toxic."

"It's going to cost jobs big time in their electorate."