John Howard admitted in 1999 that he was ashamed of pokies. This week Tony Abbott ignored his mentor's view and more than a decade of research into the reforms needed to address problem gambling.

Mr Abbott announced that "everyone wants to do a better deal to help problem gamblers". Unfortunately Mr Abbott has fallen for the temptation of the pokies industry's political game, and played with the lives of thousands of problem gamblers.

I'm astonished that anyone could think that in facing up to our national gambling problem we would be tearing at our social fabric. It's problem gambling, not reform, that is wreaking havoc on Australian communities, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

I'm surprised that the same politicians who preach fiscal prudence and living within our means at a national level can be so reckless and thoughtless when it comes to the wellbeing of Australian families. We have to tackle this some time. It just can't be ignored.

Let's be clear - everyone understands having a punt on Melbourne Cup Day. And we know that a game of two-up on Anzac day is an old tradition. What I can't accept is that thousands of Australian families go hungry every day because of problem gambling.

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3602514.html

No one believes Turnbull has stayed in politics to be Abbott's communications spokesman. Some of his friends say he suffers from what one friend describes as "merchant banker's disease" - always moving on to the next big thing.

As often as he can, he makes "intellectual contributions" beyond his portfolio brief - talking about the rise of China or the pressing need for Australia to save profits from the mining boom with a sovereign wealth fund. Even when we meet over lunch, he gallops through conversation, looking distracted and then abruptly switching topics the second he gets bored.