Election only fix to ALP mess: Abbott March 22, 2013 - 7:21AM A federal election is the only resolution to the government's leadership battle, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says. Prime Minister Julia Gillard survived as Labor leader on Thursday, after Simon Crean called for a spill to end months of speculation about Kevin Rudd's possible return. Mr Abbott says it should be up to the electorate to decide who should lead the country. "We are no closer to strong and stable government," he told the Nine Network on Friday. The only way we can get to strong and stable government is to hold an election as soon as humanly possible. Mr Abbott said the leadership battle would continue. "As long as this is a government in trouble, there will always be this fight, whether it's Rudd stalking Gillard or it's Gillard stalking Rudd," he said. The opposition will put a motion of no confidence in the Gillard government at the next sitting of parliament - budget day May 14.