14th September, 2015
Prominent MP Malcolm Turnbull has challenged Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the leadership of the parliamentary Liberal party.
Mr Turnbull resigned as Communications Minister following Question Time in Parliament and told Mr Abbott he would challenge him for party leadership. He later said it was not a decision that “anyone would take lightly”, saying that he had been urged by “many people over a long period of time” to challenge the Prime Minister.
He said it was “clear enough that the Government is not successful in providing the economic leadership that we need”, adding that while it was not the fault of individual ministers, Mr Abbott “has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs” or the “economic confidence that business needs”.
“We need a different style of leadership,” he said.
Mr Abbott was last challenged for the leadership in February but won that spill motion 61 votes to 39. He said late today he had been “heartened” by the messages of support flooding into Liberal MPs offices. “This country needs strong and stable Government and that means avoiding at all costs Labor’s revolving door Prime Ministership…”
He said there would be a party room ballot later this evening. “I will be a candidate and I expect to win,” he said.
Mr Turnbull was Opposition Leader in 2009 when he lost the leadership to Mr Abbott.
– DAVID ADAMS
