'Liberals taken over by extremists,' Turnbull’s son tells Wentworth voters

The son of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has lashed out at the Liberal Party in a Facebook video ahead of the October 20 Wentworth by-election.

Malcolm Turnbull's son Alex (R) has urged Wentworth by-election voters not to support the Liberals. (AAP) Source: AAP

Alex Turnbull has lashed out at the factions within the Liberal Party that helped sink his father's prime ministership urging voters to reject the party at the upcoming Wentworth by-election. 

Appearing on a Facebook video ahead of the October 20 vote, the Singapore-based fund manager said the Liberal Party had been taken over by "extremists" of the hard right. 

The by-election in the Sydney seat was called following his father's resignation as a result of a leadership coup which saw Scott Morrison assume the prime ministership.

Malcolm Turnbull (left) with his son, Alex on July 2, 2016 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel.

AAP

 

"This (leadership spill) isn't exactly a first for Australian politics, but it does lead you to the conclusion that a stable government might not be as stable as some people would like you to think," he said. 

"To me, this particular event seems to show the Liberal party has been taken over, frankly from extremists on the hard right who aren't particularly motivated to win an election and aren't particularly motivated to serve the general public - they just want to pursue a crazy agenda." 

But Mr Morrison said Malcolm Turnbull doesn't agree with his son.

"I disagree with Alex. His father disagrees with him too," Mr Morrison told the ABC on Friday.

"His father Malcolm Turnbull is heavily supporting Dave Sharma, the only Liberal candidate running for Wentworth."

Mr Morrison says the former prime minister has recently been silent on the issue as he has bowed out of public life.

The younger Turnbull said, "smaller Liberals" such as himself were very upset and conflicted because there wasn't anyone "reasonable to vote for" within party ranks. 

"Here's the thing about the Wentworth by-election and we're going to have an election in 12 months anyway, so if you want to send a signal as to which way the Liberal Party is going and your displeasure as to where it is going, this is your opportunity," he said. 

"Don't vote for the Liberal Party at the Wentworth by-election. If you want to pull the Liberal Party back from the brink, it's the one clear signal you can send."

Independent candidate for Wentworth Kerryn Phelps in Double Bay.

AAP