Canberra , Australia ( CNN ) -- After six years of a Labor administration , including three tumultuous years of a hung parliament , Australian voters have returned to a conservative government and majority rule . Kevin Rudd , reinstalled as prime minister by his party at the 11th hour , managed to contain the size of the loss , likely to have been a wipeout under former PM Julia Gillard . New Prime Minister Tony Abbott had a long ministerial career in the former Howard Coalition government . But many questions remain about how he will handle the top job . He has been able to cruise into power primarily on Labor 's infighting plus his promises to scrap the carbon tax , stop the asylum seeker boats and put the budget into better shape . Tony Abbott pledges 'competent , trustworthy ' government . He inherits an electorate that is disillusioned with and disengaged from politics , after continuous campaigning since 2010 because the parliament was on a knife edge . Labor 's breaking of its promise not to bring in a carbon tax and the Coalition 's years of negativity have left people jaded and cynical about all politicians . Abbott had a clear ascendancy over Gillard , but the dynamics suddenly changed when Rudd - deposed by Gillard in 2010 - mounted his successful counter-coup in late June . With his popularity and some policy changes , Rudd appeared to put Labor in a very competitive . perhaps even winning , position . But during the five week campaign , the dynamics altered again . It became clear Rudd ( who did n't campaign well ) would not be able to overcome voters ' entrenched scepticism about a government that , despite earlier successfully navigating Australia through the global financial crisis and making some worthy policy changes , had become riven with leadership division . The campaign was dominated by debate over which side was better to manage the economy ; Labor 's claims that Abbott had a $ 70 billion funding hole and would hack into health and education , and the ALP 's record . The media 's coverage became an issue , with Rudd trenchantly attacking Rupert Murdoch , whose empire owns 14 of Australia 's 21 metro daily and Sunday newspapers . The Murdoch tabloids were quite feral , with Sydney 's Daily Telegraph beginning the campaign with the headline `` Kick This Mob Out '' and one front page having a mocked up Rudd and his deputy Anthony Albanese as the bumbling Nazis from Hogan 's Heroes . The new PM , while a conservative , is likely to be centrist and pragmatic . In the Howard cabinet he opposed the extreme industrial relations policy , WorkChoices , which contributed to that government 's 2007 defeat . He has promised to be in the `` sensible centre '' on industrial relations . A committed Catholic , he is anti-gay marriage ( despite having a gay sister ) but will leave it up to his party room as to whether there should be a conscience vote for Coalition MPs on any private member 's bill on the subject . Abbott says he will run a `` no surprises '' government . He has also promised not to break any election promises . This may be an impossible undertaking , but the backlash against Gillard after she -- under the pressure of minority government -- breached her `` no carbon tax '' pledge has been a lesson to all political leaders . In Saturday night 's victory speech Abbott said : `` From today , I declare that Australia is under new management and that Australia is once more open for business . '' The Australian economy is growing slightly under trend and unemployment is rising . The economy remains strong , but the outlook is uncertain , with much depending on China and commodity prices . The mining investment boom is ending and the challenge now is for Australia to manage the transition to increased reliance on other sectors . One of Abbott 's main difficulties will be dealing with the parliament 's powerful upper house which , when the new senators take their places in July , will have a diverse collection of independent and micro party crossbenchers determining the fate of legislation . On foreign policy , Abbott is a strong U.S. alliance man . He is also a believer in the `` anglosphere , '' and was one of the leaders of the monarchist cause when in 1999 Australia had its failed republic referendum . But Abbott 's focus will be heavily on Asia . He has said policy should emphasize `` Jakarta rather than Geneva '' -- a comment not only on the importance to be placed on the region , but also reflecting the Coalition 's lack of faith in multilateralism . Abbott has promised an early visit to Jakarta , where he will try to persuade the reluctant Indonesians to accept his policy of turning back asylum seeker boats . Opinion : Australian parties in 'race to bottom ' on asylum seeker policy . During the election campaign Abbott took a more restrained approach towards a possible strike against Syria than did Rudd , a former foreign minister and diplomat . As Abbott prepare his ministry , Labor is grappling with who is to be its new leader . Rudd will not contest . Favorite , if he decides to put his hand up , is outgoing deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese , with the other contender , outgoing education minister Bill Shorten saying he will only run as a consensus candidate . It wo n't be a great job to have any time soon . Join us on Facebook/CNNOpinion . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michelle Grattan .
Questions remain about how Tony Abbott will handle top job , says Michelle Grattan . He inherits electorate that is disillusioned with and disengaged from politics , she adds . New PM , while conservative , is likely to be centrist and pragmatic - Grattan . Comment: