Why should people in low population density areas be able to expect the same quality of service as those who live in high density areas without fronting up the additional costs caused by where they choose to live?

Sort of; Bob Hawke was strongly agnostic. Not quite the same thing, but still a far cry from the norm.

In fairness, the "admitted liar" bit is a positive to most people I've spoken to. Realistically, most people are of the belief that most politicians are lying on a regular basis to start with; Abbott's stating of that fact was a refreshing dose of reality.

Of course, his political opponents have tried to label him as "Phony Tony" because of it, but from what I can see it simply hasn't worked. Particularly given that it's coming from political opponents who in the eyes of the public have reneged on implementing the lion's share of their own policy platform since gaining power. Calling your opponent a liar when the public sees you as liar isn't exactly a sound strategy for winning political points.

The filter hasn't gone through; they shelved it because they weren't going to be able tot get the votes in the senate.

We did this nearly twenty years ago in Australia. Now, I'm rather wishing they'd do the same with 5s.