Wheat Deregulation Strife Among Australia's Conservatives

They were for it before they were against it and some are still for it

TONY ABBOTT is battling to contain growing dissent in his ranks with Liberal MPs threatening openly to either cross the floor or abstain to ensure the passage of a government bill deregulating the wheat market.

Already facing deep unrest among WA Liberals over the policy about-face led by the Nationals, which is designed to stop or frustrate deregulation, Mr Abbott now faces the prospect of the NSW Liberal MP Alby Schultz abstaining from the vote, due within weeks.