The Wentworth by-election is continuing to affect the Morrison government, with some now questioning the thinking behind allowing Malcolm Turnbull to represent Australia at a conference in Indonesia.
Private citizen Malcolm Turnbull is to attend an oceans conference in Indonesia ((Oct 29/30)) in place of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who's unable to attend.
But some are now questioning the thinking behind allowing Mr Turnbull to represent Australia at the conference in Bali.
After being rejected by the Liberal party, Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy decided to spend time at their US residence in New York and some members of the Coalition are furious the outgoing member for Wentworth wouldn't even tweet an endorsement for Dave Sharma, the man who tried to keep Wentworth in Liberal party hands.
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce is among government backbenchers who have criticised the decision, telling Sky News the move is "pretty wild."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended the decision, saying it was made two months ago and is in Australia's national interest.
