An expert at the internationally respected US think-tank has labelled Tony Abbott the most “incompetent leader in any industrialised democracy,” as the Australian prime minister provoked criticism over his latest remarks.

Speaking during the Australian parliament's question time, Abbott accused the opposition Labour party of causing a “holocaust of job” losses.

He immediately withdrew his comment in parliament, but the damage had already been done, and many opponents eagerly picked up on the latest gaffe.

Abbott's many gaffes are among the numerable issues a senior researcher at the Council on Foreign Relations lists against the current Australian leader in the post titled: 'Tony Abbott Has To Go'.

Encouraging Abbott's party to unseat him, Joshua Kurlantzick says: “Abbott has proven so incapable of clear policy thinking, so unwilling to consult with even his own ministers and advisers, and so poor at communicating that he has to go.”

Abbott has the worst poll ratings for any Australian leader since 1994.