Liberals to decide leader on Tuesday

27 Nov 2009, 5:28 pm   -   Source: AAP, SBS Staff
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Turnbull reportedly called the actions of his foes 'political terrorism' today. (SBS/AAP)

Turnbull reportedly called the actions of his foes 'political terrorism' today. (SBS/AAP)

The Liberal partyroom will now meet Tuesday for a leadership spill, after Tony Abbott announced he will challenge Malcolm Turnbull.

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The Liberal party will meet on Tuesday for a leadership spill, after another testing morning over Malcolm Turnbull's support for the government's emissions trading bill.

The meeting was set to be Monday, although Turnbull confirmed late on Firday that he had pushed the meeting until Tuesday, a day after the ETS bill is revisited in the senate.

Tony Abbott confirmed it was his 'strong intention' to challenge on Monday, writing to Liberal whip Alex Somlyay asking for a leadership spill.

Nick Minchin had earlier backed Abbott by saying that if Turnbull did not listen to criticisms on the bill, Abbott would have no choice but to run.

Turnbull hanging on

Leader Malcolm Turnbull is still defiant in the face of Tony Abbott's challenge, despite support falling away from him dramatically over the last few days.

"I will run until the party votes me out - I will stay leader until I am voted out as leader", Turnbull said on Sky News.

Shadow Resources Minister Ian MacFarlance said that "Malcolm still has the support of the majority."

"Malcolm Turnbull will fight any vote for the leadership", MacFarlane also said on Sky News.

According to political website The Punch, Turnbull himself was lunching at a French restaurant in Sydney's Surry Hills while the drama was unfolding.

“What they have done is like political terrorism", he reportedly said. "They have basically tried to blow up the party.”

He later defended his position in an opinion piece on the same website, staking the future of the Liberal Party on the issue

"We are at a turning point in the history of the Liberal Party. We cannot go backwards", Turnbull writes.

"The Liberal Party has to be committed to taking responsible action on climate change if we want to stay a relevant political force in Australia"

Speaking later on the 7.30 Report Turnbull conceded that "there are probably more climate change sceptics amongst our base....than in the community generally."

When asked what he thought his chances were, he said "I believe I will be endorsed, but it is up to the party room."

Hockey reluctant

There are also moves in some corners of the Liberal Party to install Joe Hockey as leader, but he says he'll only move if the position becomes vacant. 

He has not commented to the media, although he has been active on his Twitter profile, asking colleagues for their opinions on the ETS.

Mr Abbott earlier on Friday flagged he'd be willing to stand aside and give Joe Hockey a clear run for the seamless transition many are seeking, if that was indeed an option.

If he is to emerge as a potential leader, his former support of ETS - arguably stronger than that of Abbott's - is likely to cause problems, if not ammunition for the government.

"But if Joe's not a candidate, I'm there with bells on," Abbott said.

Abbott was today still stressing that it was not a 'leadership issue'.

"This isn't all about me", he said. "The important thing is about getting the policy changed and the party as united as it can be."

No ETS vote today

Meanwhile, the government's emissions trading legislation did not pass the upper house before this afternoon's deadline, amid accusations of filibustering on the part of opposition and crossbench senators.

Debate today resumed on the legislation, but the Senate's consideration of 200 amendments related to the bill moved at glacial speed.

Opposition and Greens senators put a multitude of questions to Climate Change Minister Penny Wong on details surrounding the legislation, some of which have already been addressed.

The delaying tactics mean Labor's hopes that there would be a Senate vote on the legislation by 1545 AEDT were been scuppered. Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard has now extended the vote until Monday - although many commentators argue there is far too little time for the dozens of amendments that are yet to be discussed.

Liberal senator Scott Ryan on Friday asked Senator Wong to clarify an answer already given to Greens senator Christine Milne about Kyoto units, which refer to certified levels of carbon
emissions expressed in tonnes.

"With respect Senator Ryan, you're doing a far better job than Senator (Julian) McGauran and Senator (Barnaby) Joyce yesterday in taking up a lot of time," Senator Wong said.
 

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Your Comments

The scientific evidence of GW

Sue - from Sydney, 3 years ago

While Nick states there is 'scientific' and 'factual' evidence for us all to to get terribly over-anxious about global warming and jump about without first investigating all of the costs of ETS, it is also a 'fact' that global temperatures have remained constant since the turn of this century and that the world has experienced climate fluctuations before. Another scientific 'fact' that we, as a race, might like to get anxious about is the deteriorationof the human genome. Entropy is increasing.

THIS IS NEO FEUDALISM

JJSTEALL - from Adelaide, 3 years ago

I'm astounded by a common ignorance amid bloggers!! My god!! Enlighten your minds, stop watching TV and snap out of it, I'm sickened by your lack of knowledge regarding the ETS show some gumption and stop pointing a gun at your children's future, Mark my words!! Your children will never forgive you. Not if but when this ETS tax bill passes YOU WILL REGRET THE DAY IT DID.!!!!!

Mr

Mike Elliott - from Sydney, 3 years ago

(cont)... Let us manage, process & make legislation for the benefit of the people for a change, not for those who have the power, money & influence to lobby. Malcolm is missing his chance @ this so unless he back-flips hes got to go. ...(end)

Mr

Mike Elliott - from Sydney, 3 years ago

(cont) ..come out on top. E=mc² and the speed of light = 299792.458 km/s - nobody disputes these facts - no side of politics, no religion, no dictators, no environment groups, no industrialists, no-one. That to me means the science is settled. Yet with climate change the debate rages. BUT THIS IS NOT THE REAL IMMEDIATE ISSUE – & whether sceptic or believer – there is NO USEFUL OPPORTUNITY presenting itself to be gained for Australia in passing the ETS in accordance with Rudds timetable ..(cont)

Mr

Mike Elliott - from Sydney, 3 years ago

I recognise the climate is changing – it always does – however, Im not overly convinced @ what is causing it now – Ive looked @ the science & much is to be done before the issues are settled. I view the current rise of sceptics as the peer review that this argument needs I.E. we have only just entered the real peer reviewing process. To now, all the scientists have been effectively on the same payroll and that just doesn’t cut it for me in terms of peer reviewing. In the end science will..(cont)

Poor Malcolm (but not in a monetary sense)

Stan - from Hobart, 3 years ago

I feel sorry for Malcolm. He's no Bob Brown, but at least he's attempting to bring the Coalition outta The Dark Ages - which was when Wilson Tuckey was born. Liberals: Stop burning off your talent. You haven't got much left!

The Greens Have The True Answers To Saving The Environment

Nick - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

Judging by Wong's statement only one conclusion can be drawn. She thinks that the ALP and the Liberals are our overlords and the Greens are amateurs. Guess what Wong! You are Wrong. Your argument and policy stinks like coal. I'm voting and you can't stop me. Greens base there policy on scientific and factual evidence and that is why me and more voters like me are now turning to the Greens. Australia is a democracy and I will be voting Green at the next election. The Greens have the real answers.

MRS

MAGGIE BESON - from HILLARYS WA, 3 years ago

THE MEMBER OF LIBERAL PARTY NEED TO GIVE M TURNBALL A CHANC. MT NEED TO GET RID OF ALL THOSE MEMBERS IN THE PARTY AND PRODUCE NEW POLICIES TO SHOW AUSTRALIAN THAT THE LIBERAL PARTY IS WORKING FOR THE VOTERS. WE NEED TO GET RID OF K RUDD AS HE IS ONLY INTERESTED IN HIMSELF AND TRYING TO CREATE MOJORITY OF HEADLINE AND WASTING LOSTS OF TAXPAYER MONIES FOR UNNECESSORIES EXPENSES.

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