Economy
Liberal MPs slam Tony Abbott’s decision to bring spill motion forward
Pic: Peter Grace
Malcolm Turnbull has described Tony Abbott’s decision to bring the spill motion for the Liberal leadership forward as a “captain’s call”, while sending the clearest signal yet he would stand for the Liberal leadership if it is declared vacant.
The Communications Minister said on Sunday morning that “anyone” could stand for the leadership – without being disloyal – if a move to spill the Liberal leadership succeeds.
And Liberal MPs Arthur Sinodinos and Queensland MP Teresa Gambaro have also lashed the decision, which Mr Abbott announced on Sunday morning, a day after the Prime Minister said the vote would be on Tuesday.
Asked if he had decided whether to contest a vacant leadership, Mr Turnbull said “that’s a hypothetical question for the time being”.
“The Prime Minister’s decision had been, as he said, to hold the meeting on Tuesday and I did praise him for that this morning. Look, he’s the Prime minister, he’s made a captain’s call. He’s changed the date of the meeting,” he said.
“If for whatever reason the leadership of a political party is vacant then any member of the party can stand, whether they be a minister or a backbencher, without any disloyalty to the person whose leadership has been declared vacant.
“I’m talking to my colleagues. I know other senior members of the party are doing that. They’re the people I want to talk with.”
In his National Press Club speech last Monday, Mr Abbott effectively apologised to MPs disgruntled by his so-called “captain’s calls”, including the paid parental leave scheme and the knighthood for Prince Philip.
In a stinging rebuke to Mr Abbott, Senator Sinodinos, who served as chief of staff to former prime minister John Howard for a decade, also suggested Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had not been consulted.
Senator Sinodinos is well respected in the Coalition and his criticism will carry significant weight in the Liberal party room.
Read more, SMH here, where there is a vid and live updates
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