Tony Abbott's National Sorry Day yesterday was as unfortunate as it was stupid for Team Howard as the election narrative turns to health. In the unlikely event of Team Howard's re-election, it's a sure bet that Abbott will be relieved of the Health Portfolio.

Abbott put his labelling of asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton's call for mesothelioma medication to be PBS listed as a stunt down to an 'error of judgment'. Symbolically, it reminds us that if you need to kick a dying man when he's down you can always rely on the mean and tricky Team Howard. The failure of the Mersey General deal, his tardy arrival at the Press Club Health Debate and the 'off camera' exchange with Nicola Roxon all are symptomatic of Abbott's neglect of his Ministerial duties in favour of his role as chief political head-kicker - all on the big day when health is the front and centre. Says it all, really. All rather unedifying behaviour for a good Christian man, illustrating a government 'out of touch'.

There were some policy announcements from both teams but they were overshadowed by Abbott's bad day at the office. Team Howard, supported by the AMA, want to train more doctors, after 11 years of neglect, while Kevin07 are promising significant funding to outsource waiting-list surgery to Private Hospitals. In reality both policies are needed.

Despite accusations that Kevin07's renewable energy target was a diversion from the me-too post-Kyoto kerfuffle, in a me-too moment Team Howard now thinks it's worth considering.

An own-goal by Abbott gives another point to Kevin07.