Under-fire Australian PM to scrap parental leave scheme

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is to scrap a controversial parental leave scheme, amid growing questions about his leadership.

He is expected to say the paid parental leave scheme is "off the table" in a major policy speech later on Monday.

The plan is seen as a signature policy of Mr Abbott's but was opposed by members of his party on cost grounds.

Mr Abbott's standing among voters has slumped and his coalition suffered a shock defeat in Queensland elections.

He vowed to learn lessons from the rout, but added "in the end, government is not a popularity contest, it is a competence contest".

Mr Abbott has also been under-fire, including from some in his own party, over his decision to award a knighthood to Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip.

Childcare focus
The PPL scheme would have seen new parents being given half a year off at full pay.

But according to extracts released ahead of his National Press Club speech, Mr Abbott will say that after consulting with colleagues and families, it would be better to focus on childcare.

A Fairfax-Ipsos poll suggested voter disapproval of Mr Abbott stood at 67%.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull have been suggested as possible contenders for his job, although both have publicly backed Mr Abbott.

The last Labor government suffered turmoil among its leadership.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was ousted by his deputy Julia Gillard in 2010, later returning to power in 2013 only to be defeated by Mr Abbott's coalition three months later.