Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been urged to see policy decisions through the eyes of worried MPs in marginal seats.
Mr Abbott and cabinet ministers on Monday night met with backbench committee chairs to discuss some of the government's contentious policies such as the Medicare co-payment.
The meeting fulfilled one of the promises Mr Abbott made following a failed leadership spill motion brought on by disgruntled Liberal backbenchers.
It also followed a fortnight in which the prime minister spoke at community forums and media events in marginal seats across the country.
MPs have publicly and privately voiced concerns the prime minister and his senior staff are ignoring the local impact of policy decisions, such as the Medicare co-payment, pension cuts and hikes in university fees.
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop told a coalition joint party room meeting on Tuesday that, having also visited a number of seats in the past fortnight, she had concluded voters were annoyed with the government.
But voters didn't want a return to Labor and there was a "reservoir of good will".
Ms Bishop welcomed Monday's cabinet-backbench strategy meeting.
"We need policy to be seen through its political impact in our electorates," she said of the meeting.
Mr Abbott said the government's upcoming families and small business packages would give MPs something to talk about in their electorates.
If MPs did not focus on the government's plans and achievements "we risk handing the country back to Labor", he said.
Earlier in the Liberal party room, concerns were expressed at the sudden dumping of veteran MP Philip Ruddock as chief government whip.
Mr Abbott praised the outgoing whip but said he wanted renewal within the party.
The joint party room was also given a first-glimpse at a discussion paper on foreign investment in residential real estate, which is to be released shortly.
Share
