Abbott’s ineptitude meant he didn’t last two years as PM. Now he’s back, with four new slogans

We have been here before, in uncertain times with deeply familiar people in familiar places. Tony Abbott running the Liberal Party, Pauline Hanson dominating politics, Anthony Albanese looking like he could be reduced to a minority or even lose the next election.

As the great philosopher sportsman Yogi Berra said, it’s deja vu all over again. Except this time, life is much more precarious for the major parties – particularly the Coalition – which prefers rewind over reform, continues to kneel before Hanson, and submits to death by a thousand cuts, each wound self-inflicted.

So many angry, frustrated and pessimistic voters are threatening to desert the majors that it is conceivable One Nation, a party whose defining credo is both racist and bigoted, will end up the official opposition. It is less likely, but in a world where anything is possible, One Nation could become the governing party in a new coalition with the remaining rump of the present Coalition.

After a plethora of polls and persistent urging by Sky hosts, much to the dismay of Barnaby Joyce, Hanson finally said yes, she was ready, willing and able to become prime minister. Despite witnessing Donald Trump’s chaotic rule, and despite grave doubts she is fit for the job, almost one in three Australians agree with her.

If there are enough teals to support them, Labor could still govern. How many teals remain depends on whether new donation laws – which are clearly designed to inhibit the emergence of new parties, stem the growth of independents and leave the elected ones at a financial disadvantage – are struck down by the High Court after its hearing in October or November of the challenge by former independent MPs Rex Patrick and Zoe Daniel.

Also whether the teals retain their most valuable asset – their independence.

Right now, the most improbable outcome at the next election is a victory for the Coalition, which insists on spurning almost every cohort it needs to rebuild. That brings us to the one big “yeah, right” moment, after Abbott, now the number-two de facto opposition leader – that is, the one after Hanson – was unanimously elected federal Liberal president and pledged not to run for a seat “at the next election”.

Abbott has never renounced his dream of a comeback. The man pledging to rid Australia of its spiritual malaise lives in hope of redemption. If an opportunity arose to get back into parliament – and he is said to be eyeing off the NSW Central Coast seat of Shortland – he would grab it in a heartbeat.

This would be the same Abbott who couldn’t make it to his second anni