SMH is reporting that Abbott did not take his Great Big New Tax plan to the shadow cabinet before making the announcement yesterday.

Tony Abbott has sought forgiveness from his party room after failing to consult it about his plans for a paid parental leave scheme.

The opposition leader made the announcement yesterday - which was International Women's Day - without taking the scheme to shadow cabinet.

So instead of running a shadow cabinet, Abbott is running a Keep-them-in-the-dark Cabinet.

I am sure that this will win over the 41 coalition member who did not vote for him in December (remember that only 42 votes for him).