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Sunday March 14, 2010

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Neil Mitchell on Malcolm Turnbull

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 25 November, 2009 - 9:15 AM


ABOVE: Neil Mitchell says it's just a matter of time now before Malcolm Turnbull loses leadership of the Federal Liberal Party - but who should replace him? Kevin Andrews? Joe Hockey? Tony Abbott?

Wilson Tuckey has his say after Neil's editorial above - we now want to hear from you.

Ari Sharp, Fairfax Media: Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has survived a threat to his leadership, with a partyroom meeting in in Canberra this afternoon voting 48 to 35 not to spill the leadership positions.

The vote meant he was spared a head to head ballot with his challenger, former Howard government minister Kevin Andrews.

The result from the secret ballot was met with "considerable applause", according to party whip Alex Somlyay. "It’s a very good day for the Liberal Party, and now Malcolm can lead with a great degree of confidence," he told reporters in Canberra in announcing the result.

But a defiant Mr Andrews said while he accepted the result, the margin of just seven people carried a message for the Liberal Party and its response to critics of the emissions trading scheme.

"I believe this sends a very clear message to the Liberal Party that there has been big concern about the way things have occurred over the last few weeks," he said after the ballot.

"A significant number of people were prepared to say they would like to have a spill motion, and I think that should be a clear message that things have to be done differently."

Party figures said the vote almost identically reflected the position of Liberal members who spoke yesterday on the emissions trading scheme, with a majority joining Mr Turnbull in backing the deal struck with the Government.

The motion was moved by backbencher Wilson Tuckey and seconded by fellow West Australian Dennis Jensen.

Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey - seen by many as a future leader of the party - said Mr Turnbull had the "overwhelming" support of the party.

"The Liberal Party is going forward as a party and is going to be constructive in this parliament," he told reporters after the meeting.

"It’s going to do the right thing on behalf of the Australian people."

Mr Hockey said the emissions trading issue had been an "incredibly difficult" issue for the coalition."There are very strong views on both sides of the argument."

Mr Hockey said Mr Turnbull had been "humbled" by the challenge to his leadership.

"We do not have an emperor who imposes his view without contradiction, without question," he said, adding the party had always had a diversity of views.

"This is no different."

Mr Turnbull told the party room at the end of the meeting that he could have handled the ETS issue better, Mr Hockey said.

"Malcolm was very humbled at the end of it, but what it does demonstrate is that Malcolm is acting in the party’s interest and in the nation’s interest."

Strong leadership involved tight contests, he said."But ultimately, leadership is about taking the party in a particular direction."

Backbencher Peter Lindsay was critical of Mr Tuckey’s motion, but said the maverick had finally got "the needle" he deserved."Mr Tuckey’s comments have been entirely unhelpful," he told reporters after exiting the party room.

"We need to be attacking the Labor Party, not our leader.The final result was a convincing victory for Mr Turnbull similar to Tuesday’s numbers, Mr Lindsay said.

Bronwyn Bishop, Ian Macfarlane and Andrew Robb all agreed it was a good result as they left the meeting.Tony Abbott, touted for the top job, said any result the party room made was the "right result".

with AAP

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Blog comments Your Say

  • OMG I can't believe that there are so many listeners with their heads in the sand about the importance of doing something about climate change.
    In relation to Malcolm Turnbull - if the Libs are to stay relevant to today's Australia, they must keep Turnbull and co. The rest can go and set up another party as far as I'm concerned - and then Neil and fellow listeners of the same ilk will also have a party they can relate to.

    Frances Friday 27 November, 2009 - 11:02 PM

  • Malcom Turnball, is the first politician that I have believed when they have opened their mouths. I will be disappointed if Malcom does not retain his leadership. If he is still there when there is an election he has my vote.

    Dianne Mooroolbark

    Di carlile Friday 27 November, 2009 - 11:40 AM

  • You're right neil! Turnbull is not doing enough.

    sam Wednesday 25 November, 2009 - 1:04 PM

  • 3AWclaim Malcome Turnbull has gone.
    He hasn't gone yet so why mislead us.
    When there is a spill and he has gone, then they can say so.
    Stop trying to sensasionalise all the time
    Report the facts and the truth.

    Dazza Wednesday 25 November, 2009 - 12:04 PM

  • Rudd is a fraud.
    I thought the office of Prime Minister was required to tell the truth, be honest at all times and act above reproach.
    After the recent speeches and answers discussing such issues as climate change, boat people, Cubbie Station and its free 500,000 megalitre water licence, car assistance packages, the car industry $6billion I believe Rudd and Brumby are quite correct to expect footballers and rugby players to be role models.
    The persons holding our top office are not.

    Whistleblower Wednesday 25 November, 2009 - 11:53 AM

  • since the age only paper in the world obsesed with climate change and ets scheme put editor of the age in charge of liberal party cant do any worse abbot is as popular as the gst bishop not doing a good job of keeping goverment acountable

    ned kelly Wednesday 25 November, 2009 - 11:43 AM

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