Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s move to abandon a plan to legislate emissions reduction targets has failed to silence conservative critics within the Coalition, amid speculation the prime minister may soon face a leadership challenge.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the backflip showed his successor was willing to abandon his core beliefs.
“What we want to know is, where are this prime minister's convictions?” Mr Abbott told reporters outside Parliament House on Monday evening.
“We always thought that he was convicted on climate change issues. I think he probably still is. And it was a conversion of convenience this morning.”
The Liberal partyroom will meet on Tuesday amid growing speculation the Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton is considering a leadership challenge.
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Mr Turnbull insisted his energy policy was still alive and he was committed to the Paris climate accord targets, but could not legislate them at this stage because of the “reservations” of some in his own party.
But backbench MP Kevin Andrews, a close ally of Tony Abbott, said the National Energy Guarantee was “dead in the water”.
“There is more chance of seeing a Tyrannosaurus in the local suburban street than seeing this legislation come into the parliament,” Mr Andrews told Sky News on Tuesday.
Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne said he had spoken with Mr Dutton every day this week and had been reassured he continued to support Mr Turnbull.
“I’d be very surprised if that were the case. He told me he has no intention of challenging for the leadership,” Mr Pyne said.
Nationals MP Damien Drum said Mr Abbott should stop criticising the prime minister or leave the parliament.
“He vowed that he wouldn't be a wrecker,” Mr Drum told reporters.
“That's exactly what he's been - a wrecker, and he needs to get out of the joint.”
