Turnbull key 'to get independents to switch'

15 Sep 2010, 8:22 am   -   Source: AAP
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Malcolm Turnbull. (AAP)

Malcolm Turnbull. (AAP)

Tony Abbott says Malcolm Turnbull is part of a coalition strategy to get the independents to turn on Labor by highlighting flaws in Labor's broadband plans.

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Malcolm Turnbull will play a key role in trying to get the independents to abandon their support for Labor, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Mr Abbott announced his shadow ministry on Tuesday, appointing Mr Turnbull, a former Liberal leader, to the job of opposition communications spokesman.

The coalition has made no secret of its plans to trash the minority government's National Broadband Network (NBN) plans.

But the independents identified the NBN as a key reason for backing Labor rather than the coalition.

Mr Abbott said he didn't want another election, but a "baton change" early in the government was possible.

"I think that's what we should be doing (convincing independents) and I think with someone like Malcolm in charge of communications policy, in charge of exposing the waste and extravagance inherent in the government's broadband plans, it becomes a very real prospect," he said.

"We've got to demonstrate to the Australian public that we would be a better and safer pair of hands than the Labor party.

"That we can be better trusted with public money than the Labor party and that's where I think Malcolm will have a very, very important role in the new term of parliament."

But speaking on the ABC this morning, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the plan was rolling out exactly as it was planned, on budget.

Broadband a 'white elephant', coalition says

Mr Turnbull would be able to make people understand the $43 billion NBN was a multi-billion-dollar white elephant, the opposition leader said.

It would push up the price of broadband and cost about $5000 for every household just to build, he said.

Telstra had been bought with an $11 billion sweetener from the government to support the NBN rather than convinced of the viability of the network, Mr Abbott said.

Everyone wanted decent broadband at a good price, but the NBN was extravagant, he said.

Mr Abbott said the government had got off to a bad start with numerous changes to its ministry between its announcement on Saturday and its swearing in on Tuesday.

"They were incompetent and shambolic before the election, it looks like they are going to be incompetent and shambolic after the election."

Liberal senator Mitch Fifield, a vocal critic of Mr Turnbull during his time as leader, said he was very comfortable with the backbencher's promotion to communications spokesman.

"Malcolm is a person of immense talents, he has a Doctor Who-like capacity to regenerate from time to time," he told ABC TV.

"We'd be crazy not to make use of his skills, particularly in the area of communications where he has a great deal of knowledge."

Senator Fifield said Mr Turnbull was a team player and would hit Labor "for six" in his new role.

"He knows when a business case stacks up and when it doesn't - and Labor's NBN doesn't," he said.

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Your Comments

Down with Abbott

Unbelieveable - from Perth, 2 years ago

It's about time that the Liberal party got rid of this man Abbott who does not have the nations interests at heart. We are becoming a joke to the rest of the world with this continual infantile behaviour which best suits children in pre school. Grow up Liberal party and let the now elected government (who have 50.1+ % 2 party preferred vote) get on with their job.

Mr

Ken Clarke - from Bellevue Hill, 2 years ago

Well, I did NOT vote for Malcolm on the 21st August..........he did not get the opportunity to buy my vote ! I would be surprised if the Independents suddenly swopped sides, without very good reason - why would they ? According to the latest AEC figures, the ALP leads the two-party preferred vote by 92,000 votes.This figure makes the government far from illegitimate..........

Turnbull will want Abbott to fail.

Bmol - from Central Tilba, 2 years ago

There is no way that Turnbull will want to see Abbott achieve a baton change of the independents, effictively making Abbott PM. Turnbull will be trying to walk a very close tightrope, to effectively look like he is prosecuting Abbott's agenda, without doing it well enough to see it succeed. Turbull's dream of becoming PM will evaporate if he successfully helps Abbott into the role...... can't see him doing that in anyway. Should be interesting to see how he knifes Abbott!

truth jettisoned in climb to power.

sniffer dog - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

I think this goes to the heart of what is wrong with politics these days. That an intelligent man like Turnbull is prepared, indeed required to demolish the Government's NBN scheme which is clearly in the best interests of Australia, shows the baggage jettisoned overboard in the attempt of the opposition to gain power. truth, common sense, the common welfare of this country integrity and scruples. Turnbull knows this from his ETS experience A sad day for the opposition and Australia as a whole.

pollies - Scum of the earth?

dave - from Jerrabomberra, 2 years ago

No probs with Turnbull per se - it seems on the face to be a good choice - fancy picking a pollie for his acknowledged expertise in a relevant subject matter.. unheard of - but to "destroy" the NBN. I agree it smacks of arrogance, extremism and politicking for teh sake of self-aggrandissment. Abbott for the block? Ou est la guillotine?

Experts

Steve - from Bondi, 2 years ago

I think Paul Taylor has a great idea - thanks Paul. Let's get an independent assessment, preferably by an organization from a foreign country that has a quality technology infrastructure and use their recommendations as a springboard for what is best for Australian Technology. No voice from Telstra, Optus or any of the other companies that have stranglehold on out IT future and certainly no involvement from an organization that a poli has shares in. Let there be TRUE assessment!!!

Stop the gamesmanship--ask the experts

Paul Taylor - from Woombye,QLD, 2 years ago

I believe that MalcolmTurnbull has been given a ‘poison chalice’, particularly if like the ETS he believes in his own heart that the NBN is in the national interest—maybe he too should become an independent…now that would throw a cat among the pigeons! With so much mistrust in the motivations and policy costings of politicians surely now is the time to bring together a panel of local and international experts (in the future of communication and costing) to give a true and honest NBN appraisal !

politics

oncewas - from bribie island, 2 years ago

What a parlous state our country is in when both major parties dump leaders then syphon them back in to positions of power.How does lost leadership hang on their shoulders?Next thing we'll have john back in charge of children overboard and mark doing god knows what.And why is the coalition hell-bent on destroying the Australian government?Is this treason?Should they be thrown into jail for conspiring to bring down the government?Why not cooperate and try to win government at the next election.

party politics at its very worst

Concerened citizen - from Sydney, 2 years ago

Forget what's best for Australia - this is all about advancing the party at any cost! Forget what the people want and what is best for the country - just push our own agenda. Nice job! What a punch of jerks - knock what's likely a very positive step for the country just because Labor proposed it. And who's leading the charge - two men that have proven to be deceitful and dishonest - Turnbull and Abbott with Joe Hockey lapping at their feet. Thank you for sabotaging our nation - dorks!

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